Pollarding Lime Trees. A pollard is the operation of forming a “knuckle” or “bole” by removing growth back to the same point on a regular basis. This allows the tree to be kept within a maintainable size and can often result in an aesthetically pleasing crown once established.
What happens when a tree is pollarded?
When a tree is pollarded, more sunlight is allowed to reach the ground, and this will boost growth and biodiversity. It reduces infrastructural risks: Some trees have very limbs that can break off and fall on utility lines. This can be very hazardous and pollarding the tree is a great way to eliminate this risk.
What are the pros and cons of tree pollarding?
When a tree is pollarded, more sunlight is allowed to reach the ground, and this will boost growth and biodiversity. It reduces infrastructural risks: Some trees have very limbs that can break off and fall on utility lines. This can be very hazardous and pollarding the tree is a great way to eliminate this risk. Drawbacks Of Tree Pollarding
Can you remove a Pollard from a tree?
Although having a tree pollarded regularly is expensive, an overgrown pollard may require more surgery to remove larger parts of the tree at a greater height. It may be possible to remove all the branches that have grown from the stumps of the old pollards.
What are the best trees to plant for pollarding?
Best Trees For Pollarding 1 Willow trees 2 Beech trees 3 Oak trees 4 Hornbeam trees 5 Lime trees 6 Chestnut trees
Do you have to Pollard lime trees?
The best time to prune lime trees is early spring or late summer or anytime prior to blooming. Prune lime trees every year or two, which will help keep them from becoming too large. Always use sharp pruning shears or loppers when pruning lime trees. If you have frost damage, wait until the trees have shown new growth.
How often should you Pollard a lime tree?
Re-pollarding lime trees involves stripping them bare, removing all that regrowth. The change is dramatic if the tree is in leaf, as can be seen below. But they soon grow back, and should be maintained every 2-3 years.
What is the purpose of pollarding trees?
"Pollarding trees" means cutting them back nearly to the trunk, so as to produce a dense mass of branches. It is sometimes done today for aesthetic purposes—the resulting "lollipop trees" can be appealing to those who crave horticultural oddities.
Is pollarding good for a tree?
Nowadays pollarding is beneficial to our gardens for a wide range of reasons, it is an effective way to reduce the amount of shade cast by trees, it prevents trees from outgrowing their local environment and can also be necessary in urban situations where trees might hinder neighbouring properties or overhead cables.
Does pollarding reduce root growth?
This technique keeps trees healthy and prevents them from growing out of control, maintaining balance. Pollarding can be carried out annually depending on species, but is more often performed at multiple year intervals. Frequent pollarding will also slow down root growth and can prevent sub level damage.
What month do you prune lime trees?
The way to manage the shape and size of an established citrus tree is to prune annually. The best window is in late winter to early spring, when flowers are starting to form for the next season's crop (hold off until late sping in frosty areas). But do not go for the all-over haircut!
What happens if you don't pollard a tree?
These fungi species can lead to rot and decay in the heartwood of your tree. This can lead to structural failure – something you as the landowner will be legally responsible for.
How often do trees need pollarding?
If you are pollarding to reduce the size of the tree or in order to maintain a landscaping design, pollard every two years. If you are pollarding to create a sustainable supply of firewood, undertake pollard tree pruning every five years.
What is the difference between coppicing and pollarding?
It involves cutting multiple stems down to the ground. This encourages the plant to send up vigorous new shoots. Pollarding is similar to coppicing but plants are cut back to a stump, rather than down to the ground. Use a saw to remove all the branches from the tree at the trunk height you've chosen.
Do pollarded trees grow back?
While it may look silly at first or like your tree has been destroyed, you will soon see a thick crown growing back. This is why it is so important to pollard young trees – older trees will take longer to grow back in and fill with greens.
What's the difference between topping and pollarding?
The practice of pollarding trees is taken when the tree is dormant, usually in the winter or early spring. Topping a tree involves the practice of removing the whole top part of the tree.
Is pollarding sustainable?
Coppicing and pollarding are two methods of wood pruning that allows us to continually harvest wood from the same trees while keeping them healthy for centuries. They produce a sustainable supply of timber for many generations while enhancing the natural state for wildlife and native plants.
Why are trees pollarded?
Trees can be pollarded for many reasons. One such is the other trees planted in the same area. Their over-growth could be a problem for the other smaller trees and besides removing it, pollarding is the next best option. The tree could also be planted close to a power line, fencing, or some other form of obstacle.
Why do we pollard trees?
Pollarding A Tree: Reasons, Process, Species, Pros & Cons. Pollarding a tree involves trimming the tree for the sake of controlling its mature size and shape , usually into a uniformed ball-shaped canopy. This tree trimming technique is employed on trees planted in an area too small for them to reach full growth.
Why is pollarding a tree so expensive?
First of all, pollarding a tree is very expensive, this is because it requires a lot of hard work to get done. If the tree has reached a mature age, then you would most likely need the services of an arborist to pollard it, and these services don’t come cheap.
What does pollarding a tree mean?
Top weight reduction: Pollarding a tree means a reduction in its top weight. This is very beneficial if you live in areas that regularly experience strong winds. It is also great for trees that become brittle when they reach maturity. The Bradford pear tree for instance.
How old are coppiced plants in France?
In France, there are 600-year-old coppiced plants still in production. Such hard pruning results in voluminous, thin, vigorous growth. This was and is still used to make baskets, hurdles, and trellis fences. Pollarded Hazel rods can be used to make very good bean poles.
How high should a tree be to pollard?
The height should be at least 6 feet above ground level to keep the new growth from being eaten by grazing animals.
Why is sunlight important for trees?
But it isn’t just the trees that need it, as it is useful to the eco-system as a whole. When a tree is pollarded, more sunlight is allowed to reach the ground, and this will boost growth and biodiversity.
