The paulownia tree is an auspicious tree in the eyes of the elderly; it can be used as medicine and also to make musical instruments

"Tong tree" is a rather general term. My hometown is in the north, and where we are, we call the paulownia tree "tong tree." Friends in the south call the tung tree (Vernicia fordii) "tong tree," and in some places the plane tree (Platanus) is also called "tong tree." So the "tong tree" in the question should be a fairly broad concept. Here, Xiaonong will share with everyone the uses of the paulownia tree.

I remember that when I was a child, a very large tong tree was planted in the family courtyard. My mother said that planting a tong tree in the courtyard carried a good meaning. People in ancient times believed that the Chinese parasol tree (Firmiana simplex) could attract phoenixes. The ancients said, "Plant a Chinese parasol tree, and the phoenix will come of its own accord." The Chinese parasol tree is a symbol of good fortune. And not only was a Chinese parasol tree planted in the courtyard when I was little, but the two sides of the small road leading home were also planted with Chinese parasol trees. Every spring, when I came home from the county town, the roadside was always covered with tong flowers, which made me feel that tong flowers were the feeling of home.

What I like most is when the tong tree blooms; the purple flowers covering the whole tree are very beautiful. The paulownia tree can absorb pollutants from the air and purify the air. In summer, the leaves of the tall Chinese parasol tree are very dense, and the shade it provides is very good.

Besides its role in greening, the tong tree also has other uses. The wood of the tong tree is very light, its grain is very clear, and the tong tree grows very fast. The wood is also not prone to warping, so it is very suitable for use as timber. And some musical instruments are made using the wood of the tong tree.

The tong tree also has a certain medicinal value. The bark of the paulownia tree can be used as medicine. It has effects such as reducing inflammation, relieving coughs, promoting urination, and lowering blood pressure. Paulownia flowers also have a certain anti-cancer effect, and the fruit of the paulownia can also be used as medicine, with the effect of lowering blood pressure. It can be said that the paulownia tree is treasure from head to toe. However, in recent years, fewer and fewer paulownia trees have been planted in homes.

The above content comes from the original work of Science Xingnong.