Is pollarding a good idea

Well, I suppose you keep it under control so that it doesn't grow too big, and the leaves will be bigger. People do this to the 'Forest Pansy' tree to get larger leaves.

Hi Chris ,you'll have to decide pretty soon as the quicker the pollarding begins the better the results or at least that was what our tree surgeon told me.It's a case of balancing the root growth with the tree's growth.You pollard to keep a large tree small and limit it's root spread but it's always seemed such a shame to me.It's supposed to be better than "topping" a tree to keep it in bounds.

Ours are done when the trees are dormant just before they start into growth. (Poplars and Hazel)

Hi Chris - Catalpa bignoniodes is one of my very favorite trees lucky you to have one! Catalpas are often pollarded - it is supposed to produce huge leaves if pollarded. Whether or not it is actually good for the tree, i don't know. But it is a fact that pollarded and coppiced trees tend to live a great deal longer than the others. Catalpas are such pretty trees, tho. I'd be tempted to just leave it as is. Hope this helps! S.

I didn't mean to actually pollard now Spritz,I meant whilst the tree is still young.My sexy tree surgeon (diet coke ad type of man) told me it's better to decide whilst the tree is still young.:-)

Thanks for all the advice. I guess we need to decide before next Spring whether to pollard or not to pollard. At the moment it has it's first flowers coming out and very pretty they are too.

Please what is "pollard"?

Sadie, pollarding is when tha branches are cut back right to the trunk in early Spring. It looks very drastic, thats why I asked the question because I wondered whether it was good for the tree or not. Some trees end up looking quite deformed with big lumpy growths at the beginning of the branches. I still am not sure whether I will do it, although our experienced GOY friends have been reassuring.

Hi Chrispook - thanks for explanation.

I have a magnificent mature Catalpa which is pruned every two years but not vigorously, keeping the shape, as otherwise it becomes too big for the garden. So far it has flowered every year and produced the beans which follow.
Love it until the Autumn !