Practical pollarding techniques

[Tom Dunlap]

A facebook post by @Guy Meilleur took me to a wonderful online book about pollarding. The use of pollarding is practically unknown in the US. Too bad. Its a great tool for the confines of urban spaces. Every arborist knows that topping is not pollarding. When I first started in treework Marv taught me topping. He didn't know a thing about tree physiology but taught me to cut back to branch unions when I could.

Now, stop...don't throw rocks at me. I was in my late teens/early 20's and knew less than zip about proper tree work. It took a few years to connect with proper arborculture and stop my errant ways.

I do wish that the US market would use pollarding more. It has its place. This is unlikely though because the implementation of proper pollarding takes place over decades, sometimes a human generation apart. To rely on the forwarding of the plan is a pipe dream.

Have a look.

https://www.ancienttreeforum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/A-study-of-practical-pollarding-techniques-in-northern.pdf?fbclid=IwAR34ESMuLHHhL5vB7rirGKqQsTopM9vBdwCy0SL2yX0UcfNcIhxn_0sehzU

 

[Shadowscape]

Thanks, Tom.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

It is a problematic subject, for the most part because people always try to assign things ’good’ or ‘bad’

 

[The Green One]

Thank you for sharing this Tom. I have seen a lot of Pollarding in the Netherlands over the years. Quite common with the wind conditions and the high water table soils there, to manage Risk of blowover.

Some of the trees look cool and others poor on the eyes.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I just did 2 mulberry that were pollards for many years and were left to their ways then my client bought property and wanted brought back to old growth point. They are beach trees literally just off the ocean with good wind on them frequently and under power lines so it made sense.

 

[Basswood]

I think it has its place for sure. And when done well it’s pretty cool. The Europeans really get creative with it. Grafting, creating “halos” or outdoor hallways with it

 

[Basswood]

Another interesting book on the topic

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Another interesting book on the topic
View attachment 87251

Do you have that book? Would you consider a loan? I'm being careful of adding books to my library since I'm trying to declutter my life already.

 

[Bendroctanus]

Do you have that book? Would you consider a loan? I'm being careful of adding books to my library since I'm trying to declutter my life already.

Come now, what’s one more book?…..

 

[Bendroctanus]

Thank you for sharing, Tom. I’ve thought for a long time now that Pollarding is an excellent answer to the common clientele problem, “my tree is too big!” I’m sure we all hear that all too often. It seems in America, the answer is either convince them to prune it (maybe cable it too), remove it, or maybe once in a blue moon when the planets align, do a crown reduction. I think Pollarding has a place in there and I am impressed with the examples you guys shared already, thank you for that. I need to educate myself more on this subject.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Come now, what’s one more book?…..

...one more jacket.
...one more cordless drill variation
...one more flashlight

I have a disfunction.

 

[Bendroctanus]

...one more jacket.
...one more cordless drill variation
...one more flashlight

I have a disfunction.

I know, me too….

 

[Basswood]

Thank you for sharing, Tom. I’ve thought for a long time now that Pollarding is an excellent answer to the common clientele problem, “my tree is too big!” I’m sure we all hear that all too often. It seems in America, the answer is either convince them to prune it (maybe cable it too), remove it, or maybe once in a blue moon when the planets align, do a crown reduction. I think Pollarding has a place in there and I am impressed with the examples you guys shared already, thank you for that. I need to educate myself more on this subject.

Pollarding shouldn’t be the answer to the common problem of “my tree is too big!” In my opinion at that point it’s far too late to apply this treatment. It needs to be a conscious long term management decision and applied when the tree is younger. Otherwise it’s just topping.

It’s also species dependent. Not all trees take well to pollarding.

 

[Basswood]

Do you have that book? Would you consider a loan? I'm being careful of adding books to my library since I'm trying to declutter my life already.

I’d be happy to loan it to you. I honestly haven’t finished it quite yet but it’s been a few years so it’s not like I’m in the middle of reading it. I have really bad book ADD. Shoot me your info and I’ll send it over.

 

[Bendroctanus]

Pollarding shouldn’t be the answer to the common problem of “my tree is too big!” In my opinion at that point it’s far too late to apply this treatment. It needs to be a conscious long term management decision and applied when the tree is younger. Otherwise it’s just topping.

It’s also species dependent. Not all trees take well to pollarding.

Well said. And I agree. I didn’t necessarily mean to pollard every tree that the client thinks is too big. But it would be nice to have more options, especially for people that don’t really want to cut it down. Indeed, it’s not the all time answer, but to some people, “too big” is an appropriate height to pollard. Just good to keep open eyes and an open mind.
Again, I want to educate myself on the subject and apply it properly, wisely. Not flippantly, by any means. It’s a good technique that is under utilized in the states. In my opinion at least.

 

[Basswood]

I think I would start by educating the idea that a tree can be too big is a farce in most cases.

 

[Bendroctanus]

I think I would start by educating the idea that a tree can be too big is a farce in most cases.

Agreed.

 

[OasisTree]

Yes I am interested in the topic as well. Here is a Sycamore here at my place that I am experimenting with. I believe this is year 6 or 7, and these pics are from last year.
It is amazing how much growth I get from this tree, and how dark green the leaves are! Late summer it is a dense shade tree, and I cut 5-6' of sprouts off of it each Winter.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I’d be happy to loan it to you.

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to look in the library system too.

 

[data farm 26]

Cool thread, I love these photos and discussion.

What is the origin of pollarding? I think I read once that euro farmers did it for some practical reason like making firewood or feed for livestock? I can't clearly remember where I read or heard that. Anyone know?