While it would seem ideal to allow every tree to grow to its full potential, there may be times when that is not advisable. If there are too many trees in a single area, one could end up outgrowing and restricting the growth of the others.
In addition, an overgrown tree could interfere with nearby structures such as fences or power lines. One of the best ways to keep a tree from overgrowing is a method called pollarding. Tree pollarding involves cutting the largest branch and all lateral branches to a uniform height within a few metres from the crown.
The main reason to consider pollarding is to prevent trees and shrubs from outgrowing their designated area.
This can be particularly risky for street trees that need to share space with others while also not growing so big that they could threaten traffic below. Trees that are near power lines and streetlights will also need to be pollarded to prevent them from obstructing or interfering with these structures.
Finally, pollarding an overgrown tree can reduce the amount of shade it casts, which is vital if you need more sunlight in certain areas.
Pollarding should be done annually, particularly on young trees, and around late winter or early spring for best results. Avoid pollarding in autumn as there is a high risk of decay fungi entering pruning cuts around this time.
Some species such as Acer should not be pruned in spring as they are prone to bleeding sap around this time. Instead, wait until early summer, provided the weather is not extreme, to avoid damage from drought or scorching..
Once a tree has reached the maximum suitable height for its area, you can begin the pollarding process. For a shrub, this involves cutting the main stem to a height of one metre. For a tree, the branches on the main trunk are cut back to a uniform length.
While the tree will look barren initially, new growth will soon start to appear from underneath the bark. For each year following the pollard, branches should be pruned to just above the previous year’s cuts, leaving some branches intact where leaf cover is required.
Not every species of tree will respond well to pollarding. For example, most conifer trees are unsuitable for pollarding, with the possible exception of Yew.
Some species that do respond well to pollarding include:
Tree pollarding should always be carried out by an experienced tree surgeons who can tailor their approach to each individual tree. We're available for all your tree pollarding needs across Suffolk, including Ipswich, Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds. We are a professional and friendly team, fully accredited and insured, with considerable experience with tree types in the Suffolk area.
Please contact us via the form below or give us a call to get a quote on 01449 722795 today.
