Pollards, the forgotten art-discussion

[Mycoman]

Agriculture seems to be evolving a bit: arable farming is 'retreating' to the southern and eastern counties, livestock farming is moving down the slopes, abandoning hill ground and taking over former marginal crop land. So I reckon there will be more acres in extensive pasturage than there have been and it would not be too much nuisance to have trees share this space.

 

I'm in southern Scotland and there is a lot of permanent pasture here. The structural changes I mentioned will increase this. The Scottish Government have pledged to increase Scotland's tree cover to 25%. I think there is a case to be made for not all of these new trees to be planted in 3m x 3m rows on peat moorland; there is a tradition of multi-purpose land use, agroforestry, in places like Dalkeith Old Wood, and its reintroduction could ease the pain for areas as stock numbers dwindle, without the wholesale change wrought by block afforestation.

[Marsh Monkey]

are you getting plenty of rain, how big will the cuts be? and will you be able to retain any saprisers/foliage at the terminations?

 

Heaps of rain at the mo' at last but as for foliage i'm thinking not a shread will be left i'm guessing the cuts will be over 6" in diameter on some of them more like a foot it'll be brutal

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Heaps of rain at the mo' at last but as for foliage i'm thinking not a shread will be left i'm guessing the cuts will be over 6" in diameter on some of them more like a foot it'll be brutal

 

is there no scope for any compromise for retaining vascular conection and a better prospect for the trees?

[Marsh Monkey]

is there no scope for any compromise for retaining vascular conection and a better prospect for the trees?

 

i'll be honest you've lost me there, i'm guessing you mean can i leave more of the tree's up which sadly i don't think i can i should be on site later on in the week on another job and i'll take some photos

[sloth]

Vascular connection, eg routes between leaves and roots for transporting water etc. Meaning leave whatever twigs and leaves that you can on the tree, rather than stripping them all off as a matter of course. This means the tree doesn't have to expend so much energy forming new connections via epicormic and adventitious growth, leaving what stored energy it has to concentrate on compartmentalizing against decay and forming new leaves; ready to replenish its reserves, for the inevitable re-pollard! I'm sure it will be fine

[Ben Ballard]

Tony your ash you done early this year:thumbup1:

 

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Tanks ben, first is looking a bit more advanced than the second, fingers crossed!

[john p]

had to clear up torn out section of this beauty today,proper gnarly. in Pilton Somerset

[john p]

couple of very old Ash pollards i did acouple of years ago,not much sign of life last year,but gone nuts this year,relieved!

[john p]

couple of very old Ash pollards i did acouple of years ago,not much sign of life last year,but gone nuts this year,relieved!