Could these trees cope with pollarding?

[Boybeck]

Hi there,

 

I have an elm and four field maples which appear to have formed a hedge at one time. I would like them reduced in height by a tree surgeon. If they are pollarded to the height of the trellis in the attached pictures, would they bounce back or would it spoil them?

 

Many thanks,

[john meehan]

Theyd be a right mess. Like a row of toilet brushes.

 

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[Mick Dempsey]

Maples would probably be ok.

[Boybeck]

How many metres do you think they could come down by without spoiling their shape?

[stihlmadasever]

How many metres do you think they could come down by without spoiling their shape?

 

Impossible to say without being on site.

Contact a reputable local tree surgeon and take it from there

[Treeation]

Although there a little past the BS3998 treework recommendations for initiating pollards in terms of girth, im pretty sure they would all come back, seen elm and maple pollarded before.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

To the height of the trellis! That is not pollarding its topping. The trees would become an eyesore in my opinion and you will be locked into a cycle of continual management of any regrowth and rot.

[Treeation]

To the height of the trellis! That is not pollarding its topping. The trees would become an eyesore in my opinion and you will be locked into a cycle of continual management of any regrowth and rot.

 

Yeah your right topping not pollarding! but if managed properly on a cycle coudnt see it actually being much of an issue. Guess it just depends what the OP is trying to achieve, crown reduction might not meet the aims and fell might be too drastic.

[Mick Dempsey]

To the height of the trellis! That is not pollarding its topping. The trees would become an eyesore in my opinion and you will be locked into a cycle of continual management of any regrowth and rot.

 

"Locked into a cycle of continual management of any regrowth"

 

Like cutting a hedge for instance?

[nepia]

I reduced half a dozen 20' Field Maples to 5' years ago: four are now a decent hedge that I trim several times a year. The last one snuffed it and another has gone since.

 

So perhaps reduce them in stages, mulching their bases as you go...?

I have no experience re elm.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

er? No