Paulownia tomentosa

A friend is growing Paulownia tomentosa from seed to be grown as a Bonsai - has anyone any experience using this tree?
Thank you

Is that like "I have this friend... who has this rash..."   Seriously, I can't imagine paulownia as Bonsai. Huge leaves, soft wood, extreme growth, and short lifespan make for a near impossible combination. ...But if it could be done they do have very nice flowers. And if it doesn't work you could saw it for timber in 3 years.  

Agreed. NOTHING about this tree says "I'm a good bonsai candidate". I know you're new to this, pick your battles wisely.

It was my thought that Paulownia would be a bad choice for Bonsai but thought I should check in with the experts here before letting my friend (and yes, she exists, and neither she nor I have a rash  , thank you) know before she attempts this long term project.

We may not be able to stop her from trying.

Why stop her from trying, the 'experts' & basics of how the plant grows may say NO NO NO but its surprising how often the 'experts' are wrong in presupposing something cannot be made successfully into a bonsai based solely on its characteristics in the garden or wild. Let her try & within 3yrs she may be cutting it up for firewood or she may be showing the experts wrong...

MattA, I like the way you think. This Paulownia/Bonasai could be like the bumblebee - science and physics say he should not be able to fly, but he flies because he doesn't know he cannot. Guess I'll just sit back and see what happens with her experiment.
Thanks everyone!

Knock yourself out.

greene33 wrote:MattA, I like the way you think. This Paulownia/Bonasai could be like the bumblebee - science and physics say he should not be able to fly, but  he flies because he doesn't know he cannot.  Guess I'll just sit back and see what happens with her experiment.
Thanks everyone!

Science resently found out why bumblebees can fly.The saying is outdated...maybe you can Google the reason

Hi Greene,
You may tell your friend that Pauwlonia has very large leaves and hence does not make a very good bonsai candidate; there are no fine twigs to really ramify... but there is nothing wrong with growing unusual trees in pots. I am working with one and wiring the new growth with lots of curves and bends. I hope it will bloom one day. I say GO FOR IT!  

Yvonne Graubaek wrote:

greene33 wrote:MattA, I like the way you think. This Paulownia/Bonasai could be like the bumblebee - science and physics say he should not be able to fly, but  he flies because he doesn't know he cannot.  Guess I'll just sit back and see what happens with her experiment.
Thanks everyone!

Science resently found out why bumblebees can fly.The saying is outdated...maybe you can Google the reason

I thought this was how...