How many leaves are left on your Paulownia?

[Dave Brown]

Lee ann, I don't find any logical reason for leaving a single pole all winter just to cut back in spring. Most of my Paulownia are cut back in Sep/Oct and have no problems. The only difference is I don't cut shoots off with the pole. All shoots come from lower down

[parkeey]

ok hmmm well i want mine to get quite tall so not sure if to cut back... it only on 2nd yr from a tiny plant..

[simon]

My P. tomentosa at the front, which is as yet unpollarded still has all its leaves on. In contrast the P. fortunei 'Fast Blue' at the back has a single stem about 14 foot tall and only has a few small leaves left right at the top. I think the difference is because the large leaves resulting from pollarding are heavy and and also catch more wind, so they break off more easily.

I really want to leave one to do its thing but they don't really have the room in either location. I may leave the fortunei next spring and see what happens. I can rub off any shoots on the lower half of the stem to make sure it doesn't bush out low down and interfere with the fence and other plants. If it doesn't work out, I can always pollard it again the following year. Any thoughts?

[lee-ann]

Lee ann, I don't find any logical reason for leaving a single pole all winter just to cut back in spring. Most of my Paulownia are cut back in Sep/Oct and have no problems. The only difference is I don't cut shoots off with the pole. All shoots come from lower down

Dave its all new to me this spring was the first for me.

[simon]

I don't think it makes any difference when you pollard it, Lee-Ann. It just depends whether you want to look at the bare stick all winter and when you can be bothered to go out and cut it down.

[lee-ann]

I don't think it makes any difference when you pollard it, Lee-Ann. It just depends whether you want to look at the bare stick all winter and when you can be bothered to go out and cut it down.

The latter applies to me at present.

[parkeey]

its still quite small so would u let it grow another yr before pollarding..

[simon]

If it has had a whole season to put roots down, I would pollard it. It should be quite vigorous next year.

[Dave Brown]

I'd go along with Simon, and cut it back. You will get much stronger growth next year

This is mine which HAD 18 leaves until Sunday, now down to 4

[parkeey]

wow kool that did reach the sky, did u chop urs this yr then..

[Dave Brown]

I did cut it back last autumn, but it is a bit deceptive as planted at the top of a wall so is actually 2 feet shorter than it looks.

Here it was from underneath back in August

[parkeey]

lol still good, what height did u rekon then without the wall then lol