The pollarding process involves the removal of all the trees new growth resulting in the remainder of only the trunk (low pollard) or the framework of the major structure (high pollard). Pollarding is a treatment that is given to trees in order to make them grow with a short trunk or framework and a bushy canopy so that they can be maintained regularly, the service can be repeated every couple of years. Although pollarding is not suitable for every species of tree, the technique is commonly used on Ash, Limes, Elms, Oaks, Eucalyptus and London Plane Trees. pollarding can be an effective way to rejuvenate a tree and also to prolong its life.
Reasons for Pollarding:
- To maintain the tree at a certain height
- Aesthetics - keeping the tree in a pleasing shapes
- To stop the tree from damaging buildings
- To prevent intrusion on power cables
- To reduce water intake to minimize subsidence
- The amount of shade below the tree is reduced
- Pollarding promotes lateral branch growth
How do we do it?
To carry out this procedure our trained personnel will access the tree using a rope, harness and whatever cutting equipment is necessary. Once in the tree we will climb throughout the trees canopy removing all of the live growth at the of the branches, when this is done repeatedly over a number of years a 'pollard head' or 'knuckle' is formed, this is the round ball shape at the ends of the branches that can be seen in the pictures. This method of pruning will force multiple growth spurts the following growing season which gives back the trees shape.