Trees for stooling

Does anyone have trees or shrubs which they stool every year (i.e. cut down to a low framework, leaving a limited number of shoots to grow on to develop super-large and lush foliage.)

I have a Pawlonia which gets the chop every year that I love.

Also a black sambucus which is a toss-up every year whether to get the larger foliage or the pretty flowers because i can't have both!

I have several physocarpuses and cotinus which respond well to this treatment, which is just as well as I wouldn't have the space for them otherwise. I'm not that keen on cotinus flowers anyway.

Freshly pruned lilac also produces much larger leaves than usual.

I have two potted catalpas which - so far - have tolerated this treatment.

Anyone else a fan?

Also, any fresh recommendations for plants that respond well to stooling? I'm particularly fond of a large, lush tropical-looking leaf!

If anyone has any experience, I would love to have a try at Ailanthus altissima to get the enormous pinnate leaves. I notice there's a bare root one on ebay, but it's practically got a public health warning on it! Smelly, thuggish and kills off surrounding growth, apparently.

 

I have stooled Paulownia and Catalpa for their massive leaves, several Cornus (not quite the same thing, I'm after coloured stems for the winter), Cotinus and Sambucus [Black leaved ones] just to get vigorous growth and keep them under control, just like yourself. Buddleia falls into that category too I suppose ...

Also Liriodendron tulipifera (for big leaf effect)

 

I did Ailanthus for a few years, it does get massive leaves.
OK they are a bit smelly if you go round squashing the leaves but the main problem is suckering if you damage the surface roots.

I also have a Catalpa that has been cut hard back every year at a height of about 6ft.
It makes very large leaves and shoots of at least 8ft each year

 

Probably obvious, but some reason that you have not stooled it lower? Perhaps it is towards the back of a bed?

 

Well I dont actually have "beds", but its back against the fence, and gets as high as the house by late summer, and very leafy.
It does have a largeish Melianthus major growing at the base.
Truth is I'd much prefer to grow it as a proper tree with flowers, but I dont have the space.
BTW, has anyone noticed Catalpa has a bit of a nasty pong if you crush the leaves?

 

What about aralia elata? I've got one that is just a stalk with a few miserable leaves on the top. Could I rejuvenate it by a different treatment?

 

I'm thinking about keeping the ailanthus in a pot. Also, is it fully hardy here? It grows well in eastern Europe so I guess it does.

 

Now you mention it, I've also got an Aralia, its about 10ft high and flowers really well, I just only get to see them from the ground.
Another plant that tends to sucker badly though.

I'm not sure it would perform that well in a pot, if you want large leaves long term.
They are totally hardy as far as I know.

 

Mine's about 6 foot and it does flower but only seems to develop a few leaves from the tip. It hasn't changed from this pattern, or grown much in years. Can't think why it's so feeble, except it's growing under some lilacs in a shady dry spot. It might be kill or cure time.

 

I think its main mode of growth is the single stem topped by a new array of leaves each year.
Probably suckering and forming a large clump of stems over many years.

I think they like a good sunny position so under other shrubs it might not reach its full potential.

 

If you have space its also worth letting Paulownia grow, you still get big leaves (just not giants) and the flowers are lovely. But even then don't let it get too big - this can grow to oak tree size...