One of the solutions to combat climate change and global warming it is the increase in forested areas. This is because trees absorb the CO2 that we emit in our activities and in transportation. The more green areas there are on the planet, the more CO2 will be absorbed.
Although protect forests and increase their hectares It is vital for our future, but humans continue to deforest to produce wood or trade its land. Among all the tree species, one in particular stands out for its potential in the fight against climate change: the Kiri.
World state of forests
All over the planet they are being cut down and destroyed about 13 million hectares per year, according to UN data. Despite depending on trees to breathe and maintain our environmental balance, humans continue to destroy them. Plants and trees are the lungs of the world, providing the oxygen we need to live.
The tree that helps us against climate change
The tree that offers great hope in the fight against climate change is the Kiri, also known scientifically as paulownia tomentosa or Empress tree. Originally from China, this tree can exceed Meters 27, with trunks between 7 and 20 meters in diameter, and leaves that reach up to 40 centimeters wide.
Kiri is usually grown at altitudes below 1.800 metres and can thrive both in cultivated land and in the wild. However, the most surprising thing about this species is its ability to absorb CO2: absorbs up to 10 times more CO2 than any other tree, making it an invaluable ally in the fight against global warming.
Additionally, Kiri purifies infertile soils. As it grows, its large, nitrogen-rich leaves provide nutrients to the surrounding soil, improving its quality. This regeneration process is crucial for restoring degraded or contaminated land, something that few trees can do effectively. Thanks to its enormous capacity for photosynthesis, it emits large amounts of oxygen, which translates into a faster restoration of O2-CO2 balance.
Fast growth and resistance
The growth of the Kiri is astonishing. In just eight years, it can reach the size that an oak tree achieves in 40 years, reducing the time of reforestation by a third. This means that a Kiri tree can grow an average of XNUMX meters. 2 cm per day in optimal conditions, which not only contributes to faster reforestation, but also to greater resistance to natural disasters such as fires, thanks to its ability to quickly regenerate its root system.
This tree is capable of sprout up to seven times after being cut down. It also grows in contaminated soil and water, purifying damaged land in its wake. Its high regeneration capacity and fire resistance make it a resilient species, capable of withstanding adverse environmental conditions.
Its adaptability and requirements
Not only is Kiri fire resistant, but it also tolerates extreme temperature conditions: it can survive both in extremely cold climates -20 ºC as in intense heat of up to 45ºC. Adapting to a wide variety of climates makes it ideal for reforestation in numerous regions.
Despite its ability to grow in poor or eroded soils, it thrives best in deep, well-drained soils, preferably sandy loam. Although it can survive in infertile soils, growth will be considerably slower compared to fertile soils. To achieve its full potential, Kiri requires support with organic fertilizer and regular watering.
Origin and traditional use of the Kiri tree
In ancient times, the Kiri was considered a special tree in China and Japan. In Chinese culture, the Empress tree was often planted when a girl was born. As the tree and the girl grew up together, the Kiri was expected to be used in her marriage dowry, providing wood for carpentry items.
In Japan, its name means “to cut” and its wood is still appreciated today for its lightness and strength. It is widely used in the wood industry, especially for the manufacture of furniture and handicraft products. Despite its rapid growth, Kiri wood is of high quality, which makes its use in biomass production also a growing field. It is used as biofuel through the production of pellets, which are a clean and efficient source of energy.
Kiri and its impact on the environment
The positive impact of Kiri on the environment is significant not only because it absorbs large amounts of CO2, but also because its leaves provide nitrogen to the soil, improving the quality of the land and making it more suitable for other crops. In addition, Kiri is a pioneer species that protects other plants in the environment, stabilises the soil against erosion and improves soil water retention.
One of the best known initiatives in the use of Kiri is «The Kiri Revolution», a massive reforestation project in Texas that seeks to restore contaminated and depleted soils. This type of project demonstrates Kiri's potential to restore degraded areas while generating high-quality wood and fighting climate change.
Kiri is not only a tool to combat climate change, but also an environmental solution capable of restoring ecosystems, reducing desertification and providing new economic opportunities for the regions that adopt it.
Kiri was introduced in Uruguay by the forestry engineer Josef Krall and the trials did not work. They were brought in for their rapid growth but a fungus did not adapt to them. There are species that their genetic variability does not allow them to adapt