Pollarding pic help please

Ekka · 16th March 2007, 03:36 AM

I need a pic of the overall form of a proper pollarded tree (not some topped abomination) and a close up of the pollard head.

Also, I have listed the following species as suitable for pollarding, care to add any more ...

Willow, lime, ash, field maple, holly, hornbeam, oak, plane and beech

And would you agree that pollarding is mostly suitable to deciduous trees as they're accustomed to defoliation and store reserves for a full blooming leaf and bud response in Spring. Obviously you pollard them back in winter.

If you wonder why it's coz I'm building this page for my site. http://www.weareallabouttrees.com.au/pruning.html

a_lopa · 16th March 2007, 03:55 AM

Theres HEAPS of pollarded planes here (council trees)there coming up for pruning ill endevour to get some pics.

jim1nz · 19th March 2007, 03:14 AM

No offence to anyone but i think pollarding is an abomination to nature. But some where i have some pics of a pollarded street in the UK.

Sean Freeman · 19th March 2007, 03:19 AM

I agree with you jim1nz, the only pollards that I can honestly say I like looking at are the ancient pollards in the UK, when I lived there I saw way too many mutilated street trees, there just isn't the money to keep up the regular cycle of pruning so it becomes an excuse for a 3 or 4 yearly massacre under the guise of pollarding.

Sean

Roller · 19th March 2007, 11:02 AM

Beech don't respond to pollarding that well,and anyone who has seen the size of British streets will understand why we pollard!!

Pollarding has its place.

jim1nz · 19th March 2007, 11:40 AM

No doubt pollarding has its place, its just my personal opinion.

In NZ you should see the size of our street trees - Huge and beautiful.

Ekka · 20th March 2007, 01:27 PM

In the spirit

of pollarding I snapped these shots off today of what I think is the closest I've seen in Brisbane but ...

Poor species choice as Umbrella trees are poor compartmentalizers and poor pruning as stubs have remained with growth eminating from them.

What's your opinions?

TREE-SURFER · 20th March 2007, 02:18 PM

This picture is of a tree that has been pollarded. The top (mantle) will spread quite rapidly, whilst any growth to the main trunk would be removed to assist upper growth.
Pollarding is the complete removal of all the limbs of a tree leaving just a trunk section 2-5 metres high. The trunk then sprouts from the pollard head with multiple shoots. It was a historically common way of managing hedgerow trees and trees on commons to produce fuel wood and small structural timbers by cutting the regrowth (re-pollarding) on a cycle of 15-25 years.
Pollarding usually introduces decay to the main stem and once started the cycle must be repeated at intervals of 3-20 years, depending on species. If the re-pollarding cycle has lapsed, the tree may have become structurally insecure. However, it may be necessary to reduce the crown in stages (see below: crown retrenchment) in order to return the tree to an active pollard. Re-pollarding a lapsed pollard aggressively can all too often lead to its death.
Only young trees can be successfully pollarded for the first time and success may vary between species. However, regularly pollarded trees can live for centuries and the central decay of the trunk is a valuable habitat for different species of insects.

TrevMcRev · 21st March 2007, 02:45 AM

Agree with everything treesurfer said.

I'll try to get some local pics.

I know of 1 mature London plane in Bentleigh that has been pollarded and regularly maintained through out its life.

Melbournes streets are full of london Planes with neglected pollards. 30-40 years growth on top of old "lops"

Ps. Good work on your other site ekka. Nice.

Sean Freeman · 21st March 2007, 02:47 AM

Umbrella tree as a pollard, interesting idea, hopeless common name should be umbrella shrub with tree envy

Totally agree Ekka very poor compartmentaliser from your shots its clear that no pollard head has formed, and that the subsequent cuts have not been made with no clear intention of developing a pollard head.
To be honest though its probably an acceptable way of managing what is a very untidy sprawling shrub with grossly elogated branches that break very easily.

Tree-surfer there are some truely magnificent ancient pollards in the Midlands and Northern counties in the UK, well worth a day or two driving around to visit (though perhaps not enough to make me move back there!) In strong agreement with you re the many animals and fungi that survive in the decay columns in these ancient trees and feel that often they are more important to the ecosystem as a whole than the tree is. There is some variety in form from stem pollards (which presumably is what the photo is, although the tree looks almost too old for that treatment) to branching pollards, which are what most people are familar with as the pollarded street trees in larger European and American towns and cities. As you alluded to it is the maintenance of the pollarding cycle that is critical to the longevity of the tree.

Sean

Ekka · 21st March 2007, 04:19 AM

I would really appreciate high quality pollard pics ... not the pic quality but the quality of the pollard, it would be good to have one in dormancy pruned and one in full bloom.

I just want to make a distinction on the difference between a true pollard and say this pic.

Roller · 21st March 2007, 01:19 PM

i'll get a few pics of proper pollards this week...

Sean Freeman · 21st March 2007, 10:23 PM

Don't know why I didn't occur to me before

but for anyone interested in how pollarding is still being used through Europe visit http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/anc...elendiary2.htm and whilst you're there hunt around the web site its full of fantastic info on the management of ancient trees across the world not just UK. One of the best websites running on tis subject IMHO.

The diary running on the practice of pollarding in Europe may not answer all your questions but its great to see how some of these magnificent trees are being maintained for future generations to enjoy.

Sean

a_lopa · 22nd March 2007, 09:40 PM

Ok Ekka heres a ash and plane they get pollarded every year,not one twig left on them.When they get done next ill take some close ups.

There is hundreds of these thru the district on council land,they look neat and tidy when the whole street is trimmed up.

Ekka · 23rd March 2007, 02:06 AM

Yeah yeah, keep it coming.

I want to see them in winter, hopefully they do a good job, big meaty chunky pollard heads, some good close ups and some distant shots.

I really want to try to make people understand what true pollarding is.

a_lopa · 23rd March 2007, 02:32 AM

Theyve changed trim contractors as well so time will tell!

16th March 2007, 03:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,933	Pollarding pic help please I need a pic of the overall form of a proper pollarded tree (not some topped abomination) and a close up of the pollard head. Also, I have listed the following species as suitable for pollarding, care to add any more ... Willow, lime, ash, field maple, holly, hornbeam, oak, plane and beech And would you agree that pollarding is mostly suitable to deciduous trees as they're accustomed to defoliation and store reserves for a full blooming leaf and bud response in Spring. Obviously you pollard them back in winter. If you wonder why it's coz I'm building this page for my site. http://www.weareallabouttrees.com.au/pruning.html __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

16th March 2007, 03:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 877	Theres HEAPS of pollarded planes here (council trees)there coming up for pruning ill endevour to get some pics. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

19th March 2007, 03:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	No offence to anyone but i think pollarding is an abomination to nature. But some where i have some pics of a pollarded street in the UK. __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

19th March 2007, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 296	No doubt pollarding has its place, its just my personal opinion. In NZ you should see the size of our street trees - Huge and beautiful. __________________ SPEED ALWAYS FOLLOWS TECHNIQUE

21st March 2007, 02:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
TrevMcRev Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 734	Agree with everything treesurfer said. I'll try to get some local pics. I know of 1 mature London plane in Bentleigh that has been pollarded and regularly maintained through out its life. Melbournes streets are full of london Planes with neglected pollards. 30-40 years growth on top of old "lops" Ps. Good work on your other site ekka. Nice. __________________ Melbourne Arborist, Total Tree Care, Pruning, Tree and Stump Removal

19th March 2007, 03:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	I agree with you jim1nz, the only pollards that I can honestly say I like looking at are the ancient pollards in the UK, when I lived there I saw way too many mutilated street trees, there just isn't the money to keep up the regular cycle of pruning so it becomes an excuse for a 3 or 4 yearly massacre under the guise of pollarding. Sean

19th March 2007, 11:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
Roller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 214	Beech don't respond to pollarding that well,and anyone who has seen the size of British streets will understand why we pollard!! Pollarding has its place.

21st March 2007, 02:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Umbrella tree as a pollard, interesting idea, hopeless common name should be umbrella shrub with tree envy Totally agree Ekka very poor compartmentaliser from your shots its clear that no pollard head has formed, and that the subsequent cuts have not been made with no clear intention of developing a pollard head. To be honest though its probably an acceptable way of managing what is a very untidy sprawling shrub with grossly elogated branches that break very easily. Tree-surfer there are some truely magnificent ancient pollards in the Midlands and Northern counties in the UK, well worth a day or two driving around to visit (though perhaps not enough to make me move back there!) In strong agreement with you re the many animals and fungi that survive in the decay columns in these ancient trees and feel that often they are more important to the ecosystem as a whole than the tree is. There is some variety in form from stem pollards (which presumably is what the photo is, although the tree looks almost too old for that treatment) to branching pollards, which are what most people are familar with as the pollarded street trees in larger European and American towns and cities. As you alluded to it is the maintenance of the pollarding cycle that is critical to the longevity of the tree. Sean

21st March 2007, 01:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Roller Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suffolk UK Posts: 214	i'll get a few pics of proper pollards this week...

21st March 2007, 10:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Don't know why I didn't occur to me before but for anyone interested in how pollarding is still being used through Europe visit http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/anc...elendiary2.htm and whilst you're there hunt around the web site its full of fantastic info on the management of ancient trees across the world not just UK. One of the best websites running on tis subject IMHO. The diary running on the practice of pollarding in Europe may not answer all your questions but its great to see how some of these magnificent trees are being maintained for future generations to enjoy. Sean

23rd March 2007, 02:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,933	Yeah yeah, keep it coming. I want to see them in winter, hopefully they do a good job, big meaty chunky pollard heads, some good close ups and some distant shots. I really want to try to make people understand what true pollarding is. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

23rd March 2007, 02:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 877	Theyve changed trim contractors as well so time will tell! __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals