"joevan" wrote
after"Bob Hobden" wrote:
"Marilyn" wrote after
"Bob Hobden" wrote
Catalpa bignonoides, the Indian Bean Tree.
My wife's favourite tree. They do get very big if allowed the space and
time.

Thanks. I honestly don't like it and it is the focal point in my
backyard. ( sigh ) It was also planted close to close to the fence. A
landscaper who came to help me plan, said it really is a "weed" but
never
told me the name, so now I can look it up. My neighbour doesn't like it
either but it was planted by her MIL when they moved in 10 yrs
ago....and
each year, it gets bigger and bigger....yikes! So I put a row of White
Crape Myrtles in front and two shrubs....which I was told were red twig
dogwood but not sure...I am not a gardener but hope I can improve this
part of the garden.


Given enough room and planted as a specimen tree in a lawn they are
beautiful trees, especially when they get large. However in your situation
I
would take them out and replace with something more suitable for the
position.
If you and your neighbour don't want to do that they can be pollarded each
year when they will not produce their beautiful flowers but will produce a
smaller tight round head of very large leaves.

Some pollarded trees here.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ardedtrees.JPG

Not looking their best though.
Looking at the growth/shape I wonder if they are pollarded every year as a
friends in S. France looks a much better shape than that after a seasons
growth.
Personally I prefer them let to grow, there is one close by in my old
Doctors garden that is as big as a large oak.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden