Pollarding
Pollarding was an old fashioned way of harvesting timber so that grazing animals could not eat the emerging foliage as the cutting was at approx. 2-2.5m above ground level. Pollarding is a type of pruning which is usually carried out annually and is primarily intended to keep a tree within a certain, predetermined, height limit.
- Prevent trees outgrowing their available space
- Reduces the shade created by a tree, so useful if you want to plant around the area
- Avoids conflicts with overhead cables and other hazards
Pollarding is usually carried out on a regular basis every 1, 2 or 3 years, with the best time of year usually being late winter for deciduous – early spring for evergreens. With certain species of trees the point of attachment between the pollard knuckle and the re-growth can be weak and this needs to be assessed.
If you’ve got any questions about Pollarding, are unsure whether it is suitable for your trees or any other arboreal questions, contact Trees Understood today.