MODERN tissue Culture technology has come to the aid of the environment. Scientists in Australia's culture laboratories have developed a wonder tree - nicknamed Paulownia - which can help ease the ever-increasing environmental pressure caused by the demand for wood.

The Paulownia has an incredibly high growth rate, is lighter than other hardwoods, can be air-dried and is resl, - tant to splitting and crackinc Compared to other timbers which tak, about 25-30 years to grow to a suitable height and quality, the new tree can b@ harvested in just 6 years.

Cultivation of Paulownia is be taken up on a massive scale in Australl Under ideal conditions, a 400 ha plantation of the tree could yield a profit over AUS $45 million after harvesting the sixth year. Australia is already exporting the wood to China, Japan Korea, the Us and the Philippines.