Ideal Tree Services specialise in various tree care practices, including pollarding and re-pollarding. Pollarding and re-pollarding are skilled techniques that can greatly benefit trees and landscapes when executed correctly. As a professional tree surgeon, my priority is to ensure the health, safety, and aesthetic appeal of the trees under my care. For clients seeking pollarding or re-pollarding services, understanding the process, safety measures, qualifications, and long-term implications is crucial to making informed decisions about their tree maintenance needs.
Using correct tree surgery techniques is essential for maintaining tree health, managing growth, and enhancing safety. In this section, I’ll provide insights into when pollarding or re-pollarding may be necessary, the process involved, safety considerations, required qualifications, and information that clients seeking these services may find valuable.
Ideal Tree Services are certified arborists, holding an array of tree surgery qualifications, our arboricultural knowledge is outstanding! We have an in-depth understanding of tree biology, growth patterns, and pruning techniques and practical experience in pollarding and re-pollarding a variety of tree species. You can be sure to get a high-quality finish should you choose us for your pollarding needs.
When is Pollarding or Re-pollarding Necessary?
Pollarding is a pruning method that involves cutting back the upper branches of a tree to the main trunk or main branches, creating a framework of regrowth. There are a variety of reasons pollarding (or re-pollarding) may be necessary.
Space consideration is a big factor in the initial pollarding of a tree. In urban areas, where trees may outgrow their allotted space, pollarding can control growth and prevent interference with structures or utility lines.
There may be situations where pollarding a tree will ensure the ongoing safety of a tree. For example, trees prone to dropping heavy limbs, pollarding can reduce the risk of falling branches. Older trees may benefit from rejuvenation by undergoing pollarding (or re-pollarding). This may be needed if a tree is suffering from decay or overgrowth. Re-pollarding can encourage fresh growth and extend the lifespan of the tree.
Sometimes, pollarding can be used for aesthetic management. When carried out properly pollarding can be used for ornamental purposes, creating a distinctive appearance that suits the landscape design.
The Pollarding and Re-pollarding Process:
1. Assessment: A thorough assessment of the tree’s health, structure, and location is conducted. The decision to pollard or re-pollard is based on the tree’s species, condition, and the client’s objectives.
2. Timing: Pollarding is typically performed during the dormant season (late autumn to early spring) to minimize stress on the tree and promote vigorous regrowth.
3. Height Selection: Suitable height for pollarding is determined based on the tree’s species, age, and site requirements. This height becomes the future pollard head.
4. Initial Cut: A clean, precise cut is made above the chosen height, usually just above a bud or lateral branch.
5. Regrowth Management: Over time, new shoots develop from the pollard head. These shoots are regularly pruned to prevent excessive competition, ensuring a balanced regrowth framework.
6. Re-pollarding: After several years, when the regrowth becomes dense or starts to interfere with the tree’s purpose, re-pollarding involves removing excess regrowth to maintain the desired structure.
Safety Considerations:
Safety is of the upmost importance when undertaking any tree surgery process. At Ideal Tree services, we have a deep commitment to ensuring our health and safety practices are on point!
All our equipment is safety checked prior to undertaking any task. For a pollard (or re-pollard) We use sharp, well-maintained tools such as pruning saws, loppers, and safety harnesses for working at heights.
All employees and sub- contractors will wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Proper PPE, including helmets, gloves, eye protection, and high-visibility clothing, is a must.
We consider each individual work environment on its own merit. This will involve clearing the surrounding area around the tree, to prevent debris from falling on people or property. Appropriate signage, traffic Management, or cordons will be put in place to ensure that the risk to people entering the work site is reduced.
An obvious hazard when pollarding a tree is working at heights, we use safety harnesses and secure ropes to prevent falls and are fully trained in Safe Working at Heights practices.
Useful Information for Clients:
Ideal Tree Services Provide a full consultation to assess your tree requirements. We will schedule a consultation to discuss your goals, tree health, and expected outcomes of pollarding or re-pollarding.
We will fully explain the ongoing maintenance requirements. Pollarding requires ongoing management to maintain the desired shape and health of the tree, but regrowth after pollarding may take several years to fully establish.
It is important to check local regulations prior to undertaking any tree work. Clients should check if any local regulations or permissions are required for pollarding, especially if the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO).
If we undertake pollarding for you, we will discuss a long-term plan for the tree, including future pollarding or re-pollarding cycles.
Ideal Tree Services are reputable tree surgeons- check out our fantastic reviews for your assurance
EXCELLENTBased on 70 reviewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Louise Stringer13/09/2024Gavin and team did a great job on trimming back my overgrown laurel and humongous oak tree. Reasonably priced, professionally done and no mess for me to clean up after! Also very friendly and gave me options to suit my needs. Winning all round! Highly recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Christopher S Jones09/09/2024Gavin and his team did a great job removing several trees from our garden. Excellent work.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Lisa Jennings28/08/2024Gavin and his team have done tree work for us over the last few years including pollarding a large willow tree, removing a holly tree, removing conifer trees and doing a crown lift on a large beech tree which now looks beautiful. He is always courteous and reliable. His work is always to a high standard and his quotes are competitive and transparent. I highly recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Jo O27/08/2024We moved into a house with a very established garden however it hadn’t been very well maintained and we had issues with light being blocked from some of the trees. Gavin spent time during the quote talking us through options, we decided to remove several trees but were able to raise the canopy on others which gave us the best of both worlds. On the day itself the work was completed really quickly and Gavin and his team were professional and friendly. It’s made a real difference to our garden and we have a much more usable space. All in all a really smashing job at a reasonable price, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ideal Tree ServicesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.teresa cooper27/07/2024Would highly recommend Gavin and his team. Very professional and efficient. Very pleased with the work they did. Service with a smile.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Karen Stanwell12/07/2024Excellent tree surgery. Took conifers down from 30ft to a 10ft hedge. Fast and efficientTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Pearl Foster12/07/2024Gavin and team reduced an enormous conifer for me yesterday. They arrived on time and worked non stop all day. At the end they cleared up brilliantly. Well done to all of you and would highly recommend to anyone considering using Ideal Trees. Once again thank you for an excellent service.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Carole And Barry Guest29/06/2024Had to post a 5 star rating for the great job Gavin and his team did for us.A very difficult ,long, thick and high conifer hedge plus lots of 'finishing ' off in the rest of the garden. The hedges had been neglected for 12months because we had been let down by another company but so glad that we read the reviews for Gavin and he couldn't have been more helpful. Very clean and tidy work, would absolutely recommend this company. Already booked in for a refresh in the Autumn. Do not hesitate to give Gavin a call.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Alex Morris23/06/2024Massive thanks to Gavin and the team. They have done an amazing job of cutting down some trees at my property all work was carried out extremely safely and efficiently I am so pleased with how tidy my property was left at the end too I would highly recommend.Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Dean Francis09/06/2024Gavin and his team, recently visited my mum's property in South Birmingham, and trimmed down her Apple and Willow Trees, exactly to my mum's requirements. Both trees were overgrown and were hanging over a driveway accessed by a neighbour, so they both needed a fair amount of branches cut away. The team cut everything that needed to be cut down, incinirated all the branches with their equipment and also swept up, and took away the rest of the leaves and smaller debris with them. The job was carried out safely, was completed much quicker than I expected and the team also arrived on time. I also found Gavin and his team, friendly and approachable and Gavin communicated well with mum and myself, during the initial arrangements leading up to the day of the job. I would recommend Gavin and his team to anyone.