Pollarding, a time-honored tree-pruning technique, is primarily employed to maintain trees at a smaller stature than they would naturally attain. To maximise its effectiveness, the pollarding process is ideally initiated when the tree is young and has reached the desired height you wish to retain. Pollarding a tree in its youth offers greater control over its appearance and is notably healthier compared to pollarding older, well-established specimens.
This art of pollarding trees traces its roots back to medieval times and has since evolved into a favored method for tree management. Historically, trees were pollarded to serve as animal fodder or as a fuel source. In modern times, pollarding has found application in urban areas to reduce excessive shade from the tree’s canopy, enhance air circulation, and adapt the tree’s size to its location.
When trees encroach upon buildings, roads, or overhead services, they can pose significant challenges. Hence, local councils and planning authorities often opt for tree pollarding as the preferred management approach. However, it’s essential to bear in mind that pollarded trees require periodic re-pollarding. Regrowth from pollarded trees often results in weak unions, and if left unchecked, the weight of the regrowth can lead to union failure and potential damage.
Not all tree species are suitable for pollarding, and improper pollarding of unsuitable trees or old, unhealthy specimens can induce stress and lead to their demise. Some tree species amenable to pollarding include Ash, Common Lime, Elm, Elder, Eucalyptus, and London plane. Willow and Sycamore can also be pollarded but necessitate regular re-pollarding due to the inherent wood weakness.
At Ross Giles Tree Surgeons, our skilled arborists possess extensive experience in pollarding trees of various ages, sizes, and species. Our knowledgeable team conducts thorough assessments during the quotation phase to evaluate tree suitability for pollarding. If pollarding is deemed unsuitable for a specific tree, we’re more than happy to provide alternative solutions to achieve your desired goals.
For further insights into the art of pollarding, visit our dedicated tree pollarding service page or get in touch with us today to arrange a free consultation, obtain a written quotation, and receive friendly, expert advice. Let us help you shape your trees to perfection.
