pollarded

Pollarding is a tree management technique in which the upper branches are pruned back to a trunk or short framework, producing a dense head of new shoots. This allows control of height, limits shading, and provides material such as fodder or wood in periodic harvests.

Cuts are usually made above forks in the crown, leaving a sturdy framework from which regrowth arises. New shoots sprout from latent buds on the pollarded wood, and the head is maintained by regular re-cutting. The cycle length depends on species and climate and commonly ranges from two to several years.

Pollarding has a long history in Europe and parts of Asia, where it was used to supply winter fodder for livestock, fuel, and timber, as well as to shape park and street trees. Today it is used in urban landscapes to keep trees at safe, usable heights while preserving mature trunks and providing canopy.

Pollarding differs from coppicing: coppicing is cut at ground level to stimulate shoots from the stump; pollarding keeps the trunk intact and re-cuts higher up to manage size and form. Species commonly pollarded include oaks, plane trees, willows, and limes. Risks include decay at cut surfaces if performed poorly; ongoing maintenance and safety checks are advised.