Pollarding: The Ancient Pruning Technique That Keeps Urban Trees Compact and Healthy
In short: Pollarding is a specialized pruning method that maintains trees at a specific height by removing upper branches. While often used today to manage urban space and prevent obstruction of streetlights or power lines, this ancient practice also encourages dense foliage and can significantly extend a tree's lifespan.
Pollarding involves cutting back a tree's branches to a specific framework, typically leaving a trunk with three to five main branches. Over time, this process creates a swollen 'pollard head' from which new, rapid growth emerges each year. Because this technique requires working at heights and often involves chainsaws, it is usually best performed by a professional arborist. The cycle is typically repeated annually, though the frequency depends on the species and the desired outcome.
The primary goal of modern pollarding is size control, particularly in urban environments where trees must not outgrow their allotted space. By reducing the canopy, pollarding also minimizes the shade cast by a tree and can help prevent branches from becoming heavy and hazardous in windy conditions. While many broadleaved trees like the London plane, common lime, and oak respond well to this treatment, it is essential to monitor the tree's health. For instance, species with weaker wood, such as willow and poplar, require regular safety checks to ensure that rapidly growing, weakly-attached branches do not break off.
Timing is critical to the success of the practice. Late winter or early spring is generally the most favorable period for most species, though one must avoid pruning Acer species during this time to prevent excessive sap bleeding. Autumn is the least ideal season, as it leaves pruning cuts vulnerable to decay fungi. If a pollarded tree has been neglected for several decades, it may require careful, staged surgery to restore its structure. An arborist can help determine whether to thin out branches or remove them entirely to rejuvenate the tree's framework.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Pollarding: Pruning for Size Control | RHS Advice
- Also: Pollarding
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