pollards

Pollards are trees that have undergone pollarding, a pruning method in which the upper branches are removed to stimulate new growth from the trunk or lower branches. This produces a distinctive, knobbly crown and a multi-branched growth habit. Pollard trees are often found in historical landscapes, pastures, and urban streets, where the practice helped manage size, encourage fodder production, and regulate timber supply without clear-felling the trees.

The technique of pollarding dates back to medieval Europe and has been used in various regions to preserve wood resources and maintain usable land. Pollarded trees can live for long periods, regrowing vigorously after each cutting. In addition to its practical purposes, pollarding has also shaped landscape aesthetics, contributing to distinctive silhouettes and seasonal regrowth patterns.

Pollards can also refer to people who bear the surname Pollard(s), which is of English origin. In biographical or historical contexts, the plural form Pollards may be used to denote multiple individuals with that surname. The term thus appears in both botanical and onomastic discussions, depending on the context.

See also pollard (tree), pollarding, and the surname Pollard.