Tree Terms - Pollarding

As this one has come up recently, we thought we’d start with Pollarding.

Pollarding is a a tree management system involving the removal of the upper branches of a tree, which then promotes the growth of a dense head of foliage and branches.

It is a sound arboricultural practice and has been in use since the first century. In ancient Rome, Propertius mentioned pollarding during the 1st century BCE.

The pollarding cycle is around 4 years which keeps the trees at a manageable size, and promotes young, healthy growth.

By pollarding trees on a regular cycle this will allow the retention of trees that are in decline, keeping their amenity value and habitat for the local area. If work such as this isn't carried out, the likelihood is that we would lose these trees for future generations.