what tree to choose as grow-your-own Armco?

[noco]

Traffic is becoming more brutal every day.

What trees would you plant as a quick growing crash barrier?

We are looking for a  variety that forms a sturdy trunk asap.  They will have to withstand pruning to keep them under control.
We have grown Lombardy Poplars already, but naturally pruning does stunt the rate of growth somewhat. 

Any advice as to what would be the would  the best time prune?

 

Thank you in advance.

[daveatdave]

flowering current has a deep root system don't know if it would stop a car though  

[Rough Hewn]

Traffic is becoming more brutal every day.
What trees would you plant as a quick growing crash barrier?
We are looking for a  variety that forms a sturdy trunk asap.  They will have to withstand pruning to keep them under control.
We have grown Lombardy Poplars already, but naturally pruning does stunt the rate of growth somewhat. 
Any advice as to what would be the would  the best time prune?
 
Thank you in advance.

Are you trying to kill people?
That’s what big trees do to car drivers.
Please reflect.[emoji106]

[gary112]

13 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Are you trying to kill people?
That’s what big trees do to car drivers.
Please reflect.

Tend to agree,there,s enough ways to get killed on the roads as it is

[Steve Bullman]

19 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

Are you trying to kill people?
That’s what big trees do to car drivers.
Please reflect.

Bit judgemental without knowing the details. For example If my house was alongside a busy main road and my kids play area was adjacent to the road I certainly know whose lives would be the priority for me to protect 

[Stere]

earth bank and ditch

[Rough Hewn]

Bit judgemental without knowing the details. For example If my house was alongside a busy main road and my kids play area was adjacent to the road I certainly know whose lives would be the priority for me to protect 

I agree.
However there has been a campaign in France for over a decade now, to remove roadside trees. There have been instances of organised illegal felling on long stretches of road with high fatality rates.
Google it. [emoji106]

[Steve Bullman]

That doesn’t really have any relevance here

[Rough Hewn]

Ok, I’d grow several rows of hazel.
Fast growing multi stem with very large growth below 1m to stop a vehicle slowly and a nice visual backdrop with harvest potential [emoji106]

[woody paul]

Unless tree is of good size it will not stop a car, seen a VW golf cut an elm 18 inches across off at ground level which made a bridge for it to cross a ditch and land up 25m into field. 

As others have said may slow up car losing control but will send stuff flying. 

I now of an accident near me were car crashed into fence which killed passanger was questioned if fencing was suitable for that streach of road. 

So be careful what you do. 

[benedmonds]

4 hours ago, Rough Hewn said:

Are you trying to kill people?
That’s what big trees do to car drivers.
Please reflect.

 Apparently 3000 people a year killed in the US driving into trees..

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.irf.global/wp-content/uploads/Bradley-Winkelbauer-The_Killer_Tree_Problem.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwi10OTckIvzAhVRglwKHZbuCqQQFnoECEUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0UMM2QuZMn6SUdgK8zWZyB

There are 2 trees both within a mile of where I live which young men/boys have killed themselves by driving too fast into them the last few years. Both now shrines with attached football kits and photos..

 

I guess felling all roadside trees could save  quite as few lives, but I would suggest that would be a disproportionate response..

Edited September 19, 2021 by benedmonds