poor old beech. what do i do?

[Stephen Blair]

 

I would like to state for the record that I would never normally recommend the pollarding of a beech but in this particular circumstance I belive it may be a satisfactory control measure to minimise hazards associated with limb shed and deadwood falling and may offer the tree a new lease of life or a new purpose in life for habitat - either way it would be beneficial.

 

well covered there matt, i was planning on sueing you in a few years time aswell:sneaky2:

[Highland Forestry]

well covered there matt, i was planning on sueing you in a few years time aswell:sneaky2:

 

I knew someone would want to pull my pants down!!

 

No legal action here mate!

[Mesterh]

I have 'pollarded' ah well hacked to bits a couple of beech in the past completely expecting them to die but they didnt!

 

Could be worth a try rather than a straight fell from the off. Depending on what the customer wants of course.

[Stephen Blair]

i think it is more obvious on that one because they topped it so high on the crown, the ones i have reduced in the past have had a smaller crown, so it would just be 2 cuts lower down

[Tom D]

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a pathogen involved somwhere, Keep an eye on it over the next few months and see if any fungi show up. Clients love this BTW, explain that the fruiting season is in full swing and ask to hold off for a month or two to see what shows up. You could also try digging down between the butresses and looking for decay on the underside of the main roots, that would indicate merip., then you'll get the OK from the TO to fell it.

 

Otherwise as others have said "veteranise" it by reducing back all the deadwood and recreating a smaller crown with a smaller windsail.

[Dean Lofthouse]

I have 'pollarded' ah well hacked to bits a couple of beech in the past completely expecting them to die but they didnt!

 

Could be worth a try rather than a straight fell from the off. Depending on what the customer wants of course.

 

yeeee haaaa

[Mesterh]

It was recommended by the LA so who am I to argue

 

[gmanntpo]

Does it have much of a target? If so what is its SULE without major pruning.

 

I agree with other members that there is potential to pollard, but I must be honest if it were one of my apps I consider I would allow felling (if that was applied for) and condition in 2 top quality replacement Beech trees (if site is large enough) of a good size (16 - 18cm girth?) that have a potential 100+ years ahead of them.

 

Sometimes (not necessarily in this case) too much emphasis is put on retaining old, knackered trees, when some new trees would be a better solution in the long term - Principles of silviculture in the urban forest.

 

Maybe you agree, maybe you don't, but it is an interesting management system....

 

Cheers Gmann

[David Humphries]

Sometimes (not necessarily in this case) too much emphasis is put on retaining old, knackered trees, when some new trees would be a better solution in the long term - Principles of silviculture in the urban forest.

 

Maybe you agree, maybe you don't, but it is an interesting management system....

 

Cheers Gmann

 

 

I would't entirely disagree with your above statement, Geoff.

Even though my Tree management is restricted to Public Open Space & not in the private sector, I do however see value in retaining "old, knackered trees" within the Urban forest, as most of us haven't got the benefit of sticking around another hundred years or so to wait for the mental health perks of being around such amenity & biodiversity that is dwindling within the concrete jungle.

 

Short sighted, perhaps, and not particularly in tune with our Victorian fathers who have given us these assets to manage, in terms of sustainable landscape.

 

But.......

6.4 deaths per annum in a population of 60 odd million.

Not a huge number is it.

I know I'm not taking into account property loss/damage.

And some consultants who deal with the human side of these tragedies would possibly say that's a naive statement to adhere principals on.

 

But in my humble opinion, too many trees felled before their time.

 

With regards to this particular Beech, get a BIG Saw, tickle the back & run like hell..............not

 

Independent consultation required, AT doesn't really have adequate liability cover to provide specification

 

Be interested to hear what happens next though

 

 

 

 

 

.

[shillo]

thanks guys for all the advice, i have the application on my desk all filled in and i have applied to fell it, then i guess if it is approved the client will have a decision to make.

there are a few targets, mainly big shrubs and hedges under the tree and the main house about 30ft behind the tree. guna be fun what ever we do!!