trying something different

[10framer]

i sell building materials at my day job.  i'm about to build some hive covers out of a hardwood called paulownia that is supposed to be rot proof.  
has anyone tried this?
the wood i have is an exterior grade primed finger joint product.  does anyone see a reason to sand the primer off of the area that will be exposed to the bees?  or at least paint it with a latex paint?
it's thinner than 1x material but that doesn't really concern me.  i've used 1/4 inch plywood for covers before.
it's expensive but if it's durable enough to stand the weather unpainted it would be a time saver for sure and possibly a money saver in the long run.

[AllenF]

I have never heard of it so I wikied it.  (if that is the right way to write it)  To me, it looks like cottonwood that we have here.  But you know more about it that us.   Let us know how it is to work with. 

Oh ya, for others to look at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulownia

[10framer]

did you see where it's considered an invasive species in the southeast allen?  i'll let you know. 
my biggest concern right now is the primer.  i'll probbly put a good coat of exterior latex over it.

[10framer]

built a top today.  it is as easy on the saw blade as pine.  since it's not really 3/4" thick it may have actually been easier on it.  it's extremely rigid but i'm working with fingerjointed boards so i kind of expected that.
i'm waiting on a vendor to get back to me on pricing on clear 1x12, 1x6 and 1x4.  if it is as rot resistant as it is claimed to be and i can build top and bottom boards for close to the same price as buying cypress i'll probably order some and get started.  i' going to convert a couple of nucs into ten frame hives this week and will use the first tops.
apparently they cross the paulownia with poplar trees and they can grow 60 feet in 5 to 6 years.  i'm trying to find out if the hybrids are a good nectar source.
it would be nice to put a few acres in them and be able to get a nectar source and a relatively quick timber return.