Rowan Tree Pruning

[Magglemags]

Hello there, 

I have a Rowan tree growing well outside my front window and was there before we bought the house 5 years ago. It fruits well every year so far so has been there definitely for more than 20 years. It puts on strong new growth every year and as an amateur gardener I have been developing confidence with my pruning with it but am not sure how hard I can go with it. This year my neighbour mentioned the light in her living room and the size of the tree. Personally I think the light issue is due to the fact that the living room window is north facing as we also get little light at the front. I'm not sure this rowan is making a big difference, but in the spirit of being neighbourly, what are my options with this Rowan please? Can it be coppiced or would that kill it? Could it be pollarded? I do not want to lose this tree, it provides an abundance of berries for birds and I love it. 

 

Thank you very much for your advice. 

Edited November 2, 2020 by Magglemags

[nepia]

It looks like the tree's been pollarded before at a height between the gutter and the window transom; I'd say doing the same again after the birds have had the berries would tick all your boxes.

 

...And every three or four years thereafter; once a pollard cycle is embarked upon it should be maintained.

Edited November 2, 2020 by nepia

[Magglemags]

7 minutes ago, nepia said:

It looks like the tree's been pollarded before at a height between the gutter and the window transom; I'd say doing the same again after the birds have had the berries would tick all your boxes.

 

...And every three or four years thereafter; once a pollard cycle is embarked upon it should be maintained.

Thanks for your advice. Do you think it's safe to take it lower? Maybe to the point where the two main branches meet? Or will this kill it?

[nepia]

No it won't kill it but - really?!  If you're thinking of going that low pull the thing out and plant a shrub.

Edited November 2, 2020 by nepia

[Magglemags]

I guess that would be quite extreme. Thanks for the advice.?