What Is Tree Pollarding and Its Benefits
Trees are the lungs of our cities, providing a splash of colour, a haven for wildlife, and much-needed shade on hot summer days. But just like any living thing, trees need a little TLC to thrive in urban environments. That’s where tree care comes in! It’s all about keeping our leafy friends healthy and happy, ensuring they can continue to beautify our neighbourhoods.
Many tree care techniques exist, and today, we focus on pollarding. You might have seen these trees around town – they have a distinctive, rounded shape, almost like a giant lollipop.
But what exactly is pollarding, and why would anyone do this to a tree? Well, there are some surprising benefits to this unique pruning method! Let’s explore tree pollarding and see if it might be the right choice for your green giant.
What Is Tree Pollarding?
Pollarding might sound foreign to your ears, but it’s actually a tree care technique that’s been around for centuries! Imagine taking a pair of giant shears and giving a tree a severe haircut, leaving just a stubby framework of branches.
There’s evidence of pollarding practices dating back to ancient Rome, which became widespread in Europe during medieval times. Back then, it was a common way to manage trees for various purposes, like:
- Fuelwood: Regularly coppiced branches provided a readily available source of firewood.
- Animal fodder: The new shoots that sprouted after pollarding were a tasty treat for grazing animals.
- Building materials: The sturdy branches could be used for crafting tools and other implements.
What does pollarding look like?
Imagine a tree resembling a giant lollipop – a thick trunk with a rounded mass of leaves at the top. That’s the classic look of a pollarded tree!
Today, pollarding is still practised, but for slightly different reasons. It’s a popular technique for managing trees in urban environments, particularly for the following species:
- London Plane: This iconic city tree thrives with pollarding, producing its characteristic rounded canopy.
- Lime Trees: These fragrant trees are commonly pollarded to maintain a manageable size and encourage denser foliage.
- Willows: The weeping form of the willow responds well to pollarding, creating a cascading effect of new growth.
- Hornbeams: These fast-growing trees can be kept in check through pollarding, promoting a denser, bushier form.
- Oaks: While less common, some oak species can tolerate pollarding, although proper technique is crucial to avoid harming the tree.
Pollarding seems drastic, but the result is quite distinctive. Imagine taking a pair of giant shears and giving a tree a severe haircut, leaving just a stubby framework of branches. The regular pruning encourages new shoots to sprout from these stubs, creating a dense head of growth. This, over time, gives the tree a characteristic “lollipop” shape – a rounded mass of foliage perched atop a thicker trunk.
What is an example of a tree pollarding?
A classic example of a pollarded tree is the London Plane tree. You’ll often see these lining city streets, with their characteristic rounded canopy and thick branches. Other commonly pollarded trees include limes, willows, hornbeams, and some oaks!
What is the difference between coppicing and pollarding?
Both coppicing and pollarding are tree pruning techniques that stimulate new growth, but they differ in how and where the cuts are made:
Coppicing involves cutting the tree near the ground, usually to a stump or rootstock. This stimulates the growth of multiple shoots from the base, creating a multi-stemmed tree or shrub. Coppicing is often used to harvest wood for fuel, crafts, or to maintain a low hedge.
While trees naturally grow with a single main trunk and branching structure, pollarding takes a different approach. Imagine giving your tree a regular haircut, focusing on specific points on the main trunk or stem. This repeated pruning might seem drastic, but it stimulates the growth of a dense head of new branches at the cut points.
Benefits of Tree Pollarding
There are several advantages to this unique pruning technique. Here’s how pollarding can benefit both your trees and your urban environment:
- Manageable Tree Size: One of the biggest perks of pollarding is its ability to keep a tree’s height in check. This is especially important in urban areas where space is limited. By regularly cutting back the branches, pollarding ensures trees don’t grow too tall and potentially cause problems with buildings, power lines, or even blocking sunlight from your windows.
- Increased Branch Growth: Pollarding might seem harsh, but it stimulates new growth! The regular pruning encourages the tree to sprout a dense head of fresh branches from the cut points. This results in a thicker, fuller canopy compared to an unpollarded tree.
- Promotes Tree Health: Believe it or not, pollarding can actually be good for a tree’s health! By removing older, potentially diseased branches, pollarding allows the tree to focus its energy on producing healthy new growth. This can extend the tree’s lifespan and keep it looking vibrant for years.
- Reduced Shade and Leaf Litter: For some, the shade cast by large trees can be much. Pollarding allows for more sunlight penetration through the thinner canopy. Additionally, with fewer branches overall, there’s potentially less leaf litter to clean up each autumn.
- Aesthetic Appeal: While not for everyone, some people appreciate a pollarded tree’s unique, sculpted look. The rounded canopy adds a sense of formality to landscapes and can be visually striking to parks or avenues.
Considerations for Tree Pollarding
Remember that pollarding is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Not suitable for all trees: Not every tree species takes kindly to being chopped back regularly. Some trees, like conifers or flowering varieties, can suffer from pollarding and struggle to produce healthy new growth.
- Requires expertise: Pollarding must be done correctly to ensure the tree’s health. Improper pruning techniques can leave wounds susceptible to disease and weaken the tree’s overall structure. That’s why it’s crucial to have a qualified arborist handle the job.
- Alternative tree care options: Pollarding might not be the best choice for every situation. Alternative tree care options like pruning or trimming might be more suitable depending on the tree species and your specific needs. A qualified arborist can assess your trees and recommend the most appropriate action.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! Pollarding might seem like an unusual tree care technique, but it offers some compelling benefits for specific situations. If you’re looking to:
- Maintain a tree’s height in an urban environment
- Encourage denser foliage growth
- Promote overall tree health
- Reduce shade and leaf litter
Then pollarding might be the right choice for your trees. However, not all trees respond well to this technique, and proper execution is crucial to avoid harming the tree.
That’s where the expertise of a qualified arborist comes in!
Here at First Arb Tree Surgeons, we can assess your trees, determine if pollarding is suitable, and perform the procedure using the best practices to ensure healthy growth and a beautiful aesthetic.
Ready to discuss your tree care needs and see if pollarding is right for you? Contact First Arb Tree Surgeons today for a free consultation! We’re happy to answer any questions and help you keep your trees healthy and thriving for many years.