Summary
This Paulownia agroforestry project converts 2.56 ha of land into a mixed Paulownia plantation at 2 000 trees/ha interplanted with 100 fruit trees (pear, plum, apricot, peach and cherry) to enhance on-site biodiversity. A permanent grass–clover understory will be established and mown regularly to build soil organic matter and fix nitrogen. An efficient drip-irrigation system minimizes water use while ensuring healthy tree growth. After 12 years, all Paulownia are selectively harvested for construction-grade timber—locking up the sequestered CO₂ in durable wood products—and no replanting is required due to the tree’s vigorous coppicing capacity.

About the Remover

The project is spearheaded by Joep Willemssen, a forestry entrepreneur with expertise in fast-growing timber species and regenerative land use. Joep oversees site design, drip-irrigation installation, biodiversity monitoring, and harvest planning. He collaborates with local landowners and technical advisors to demonstrate how Paulownia plantations can:

Produce high-value construction timber and durable wood products
Serve as permanent carbon sinks through long-lived wood storage
Support on-farm biodiversity via mixed-species plantings and a grass–clover sward
Optimize resource use with low-waste, precision irrigation

Under Joep’s direction, this project exemplifies a multifunctional land-use model that yields food, timber, and ecological benefits on the same field.

Willemssen Paulownia hout

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Holding