Old old Ash coppice - need advice please

[Mozza]

Get rid of the Ivy and re pollard, see how you go and if you start and its worse that what you thought remove it.

 

Thats what id advise/suggest/do too

[John Hancock]

Re-pollards at original points, I wouldn’t cut down any further – too much valuable nutrient in the main stems.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

What an interesting Tree.

 

Appears to be in rude health and putting on adaptive girth.

A fine looking veteran.

 

With that in mind, from my angle, I would assess the pollard points and possibly re-pollard, perhaps as a giraffe with one or two sap risers for a couple of years, then take these out when/if the new canopy sprouts.

 

........or, take a sharp intake of breath, mutter something along the lines of - hazard, targets, doggy, and get it down for firewood asap.

 

Any Fungal fb's present?

 

 

Nice shots.

 

.

 

 

Cheers for this; in answer to points I should have mentioned; I had a thorough look around for FBs but could find nothing.

 

The re-pollard advice I like, thanks man.

 

Customer definately wants some height reduction so I'll offer him the options with the pros and cons...

 

[Mozza]

Dont forget the after pictures mate, That tree is superb

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

I know its difficult to tell from photos, but I'd be very surprised if this tree was hazardous in its current form.

 

Also, once its been pollarded you will have removed the sail area, so the chances of the stems falling over (I would guess) are almost zero.

 

Hope this helps

 

 

This is what I thought but was just wanted to get a second opinion/s on the structural strength. Given the location of the tree, its geo surroundings etc I thought the wind sail would not yet be a drama?

 

Great responses from everyone!

[Stephen Blair]

i wouldnt call it dangerous, just ugly. if they want rid of it then get it down, if they like it, then get topping mate, silky and 20 mins with jobeau then job done

[Xerxses]

Thats what id advise/suggest/do too

 

A felled tree is for a customer and a pollard for a client....

Explain to the customer that the best option is to repollard the tree (giraffe or other method) and then maintain the tree as a pollard by redoing the job every 2-3 years and that you will happily train them in the technique or come back every 3 years and remove the debris aswell:001_smile:

Eventhough you cant guarantee the tree to regenerate its growth after the initial repollard you are most certain it will and if it doesent its not too late to remove the stems. In this way the tree can be their joy and pride for many years to come (even decades) and you will hopefully have a longterm client who will recomend you to all their neighbours and friends:001_smile:

Great tree with great habitat potential. A properly maintained pollard can survive longer than a unpollarded tree and become a host to many endangered insects, fungus, beetles, etc.