Experienced pollarding service
Maintaining tree size, shape and vitality
Pollarding is a pruning technique that involves the complete removal of the upper branches of a tree, generally leaving a main trunk and large secondary branches from which new growth will emerge. This promotes vigorous growth to form a dense head of foliage and branches.
With extensive experience in pollarding and managing tree growth, we deliver consistent and effective results to ensure the health and vitality of your tree. In addition, we offer coppicing services (where the tree is cut down to ground level).
Frequently asked questions
Pollarding is a specialised pruning technique where the upper branches of your tree are cut back to the main trunk (or main branches).
Many trees can be pollarded, though you most commonly see this technique used for planes (Platanus), willows (Salix), limes (Tilia), chestnut (Aescules and Castanea), ash (Fraxinus), etc.
Pollarding is usually only undertaken on semi-juvenile trees; pollarding older trees can significantly weaken them or lead to loss of vitality.
Trees which are pollarded will have to be maintained with a re-pollard approximately every three to five years, depending on species and location.
We generally recommend pollarding takes place in late winter or early spring, however we will discuss the specific timing when we visit to assess your tree and its location.
The main benefit of pollarding is to manage the size of the tree. This is often the purpose of pollarding in urban areas or smaller gardens, or where there is a risk of the tree interfering with power lines, lighting or structures.
Pollarding can also extend the life of a tree by keeping it in a semi-juvenile state. In some cases, such as eucalyptus trees, pollarding is used to retain the juvenile leaf form for aesthetic reasons.
Coppicing involves periodically cutting the tree down to ground level.
This technique is often used in timber production and woodlands, because it stimulates the rapid production of new stems.
In a garden setting, coppicing can be used to manage tree size and maintain juvenile leaf forms for aesthetic purposes. Commonly coppiced trees include willows, hazels, paulownias, catalpas, eucalyptus, yew, hornbeam and beech.
We offer expert coppicing services, to help you achieve the size and style of tree you require.
If your tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and/or is located within a conservation area, you will almost certainly need permission to pollard it. When we visit your site for your initial consultation we’ll assess the work required and advise you about whether consent will be required.
Visit the government’s website to read more about managing trees with TPOs and in conservation areas.
Yes, instead of pollarding a tree you could consider thinning the crown or reducing the crown instead.
These will be chopped or chipped on site and we can either remove the resulting wood or, if you prefer, leave it with you to use.