Ash question

[The BJG]

Hi all and firstly thanks in advance for looking, and any advice given.

 

I have a job coming up that consists of two ash trees at the bottom of a garden.

 

Both have multiple stems, one has five the other seven.

 

They have previously been cut at around 12 to 15 feet high and have sort of pollarded at that height leaving quite whippy growth really at the top but the trunks are quite bare up to that point.

 

At the back of the garden is a raised cycle path that is quite a busy route in the summer.

 

My customer wants them cut back so they lose some of the height, (I would say they are maybe 20 to 25 foot tall in total.) But also wants them to grow out more, lower down, to provide some privacy from the cycle path.

 

My plan is to cut back quite a lot of the whippy high growth, to reduce the height; but what I'm wondering is, if I cut back a couple of the main trunks, would that encourage regrowth further down or will it more likely damage or maybe even kill off that trunk of the tree.

 

The trees look fit and healthy to me there is no sign of any decay or problems, and they are in a good position with plenty of light and room to grow.

 

I hope you don't mind me picking brains a bit on here but you guys have a lot more experience than me and I don't want to risk the tree doing the wrong thing.

 

Thanks again for any advice you have.

 

Ben

 

 

I know the title is wrong but I dont think I can edit it. Oops

 

Oh yes you can Ha ha

Edited February 5, 2010 by The BJG
Try to edit title

[detritus21]

You will get mega regrowth where ever you cut it. An Ash in my garden was badly pruned (read butchered) before I moved in. Mega growth but mostly out of the tips that have been cut. I suppose you could just chop it in half but it wouldn't be best for the tree. You'd be better off felling and replanting in my oppinion.

[Bundle 2]

There are no guarantees whatever you decide to do. In the long term, I would have to say Ash IS prone to decay when considered in comparison to other hardwood species, pruning wounds being the obvious location for this.

I think you might be thinking that to alter/inhibit apical dominance by reducing height (ie growth tip is cut back ) this will encourage more growth from a lower region within the trees habit/structure. This seems reasonable.

BTW, I have coppiced and seen a quantity of coppiced ash stools. They can be managed or maintained in this way quite satisfactorily.

What you describe is not what I would want at the end of my backyard. However, you have perhaps not much to lose by pruning them further and much to gain if remedial work encourages a manageable and desired effect?

If you decide to remove and replant, can I suggest using hazel?

[The BJG]

Thanks for that.

 

I did suggest that maybe a fell and replant would be the better solution. I had mentioned a beech hedge rather than hazel, when I went for a look. But Hazel could be an option for sure.

 

They would like to keep the ones there, if it's possible to regain control a little bit on them. It's a shame they've been done the way they have to be honest, in the past.

 

Like you say what I'd thought of doing was bringing tops back down to previous cut heights. Then taking maybe two of the stems off each stand down maybe another 6 foot or so, thinking if they were to resprout at that height that may fulfil the customers wishes for a bit more growth lower down the tree.

 

Thanks again

 

Ben