Big Willow "Pollard"

[Colin]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

That's about what I thought. So pollarding is topping, but topping is not pollarding.

I just called it that because the tree HAD been topped before and we were doing it again to the same spot.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

But just because you are topping it at the same spot does not make it pollarding. You still need that yearly or bi yearly pruning to the first bud. Those cuts you were making were not to a bud. Normally when a pollard is statred it is started at about a 2" cut. Not saying it cant be done lager or smaller it just allows the tree to create the calus wood that makes the nuckles, compartmentalizing the way it should.

 

[dylanclimbs]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

[ QUOTE ]
The first time you cut a tree to set up a future pollard you are making internodal cuts, thus creating the topping cuts.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're doing it wrong. Cut to nodes, then manage endocormic shoots by pruning them back above the original cut, which was at the node. By the end of several maintenance intervals a pollard head should have developed. The initial cut in the process should not be a topping cut.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

So none of you tree natzi's are gonna comment on him using Spikes in a live tree? Or do y'all reserve that only for Utility treeworkers?

 

[dylanclimbs]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

Oh you poor, beleaguered, misunderstood utility clearance arborist. The title of the thread includes a statement about a pruning technique, which isn't reflected by the work done. Therefore a discussion regarding the technique was sparked.

But, yes. One should reserve the spikes for removal trees. I have, however cleared a few row's in my day here in BC. 50' conifers that the foreman would either laugh or cry if he saw a throwline come out. Some of us aren't tree nazi's and know how it is.

But in this case, when he is simply being hoisted by a crane into position, and the spike wounds are limited on the tissue that remains...ain't such a horrible thing. Oh, that plus the tree was topped, for all intents and purposes.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The first time you cut a tree to set up a future pollard you are making internodal cuts, thus creating the topping cuts.

[/ QUOTE ]

You're doing it wrong. Cut to nodes, then manage endocormic shoots by pruning them back above the original cut, which was at the node. By the end of several maintenance intervals a pollard head should have developed. The initial cut in the process should not be a topping cut.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wrong. Dylan is correct the cuts should be made to nodes. For some reason I miss read/understood the explanation in Gilmans book. Im glad for this conversation because I was going to start training a silver maple from a seedling soon. Thanks

 

[dylanclimbs]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

Right on! Sorry if I came across as a dinkus. The interwebs have that effect on me.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Re: Big Willow \"Pollard\"

No problem. we all make mistakes, and I did. If you hadnt brought it to my attention i wouldnt have read the description again and I would have messed up my maple.