Hawthorn - coppice, pollard or ignore?

[spandit]

I have a reasonably old hawthorn tree that was previously really shaded by willow and holly, both of which have since been cut down (they were leaning onto a fence and in a poor state - they'll doubtless survive and sprout again). It's rotten in places and very uneven where it's been forced to seek the light. I don't want to kill it but it's just in a field so doesn't need to look pretty. Should I coppice it or cut higher up?

 

The red line in the 2nd pic is holding up what remains of the fence and the holly to the right might benefit from a trim

[sime42]

Grand firewood too.

 

Is that like a fisherman's 5 foot?!

[spandit]

3 minutes ago, sime42 said:

Grand firewood too.

 

Is that like a fisherman's 5 foot?!

I cut as high as I was comfortable holding the saw. Wasn't far off my shoulder height

[Steven P]

Of course, the legends has it round here that you should never cut down a hawthorn - fairies or something live in them....

 

 

But great firewood

[spandit]

2 minutes ago, Steven P said:

Of course, the legends has it round here that you should never cut down a hawthorn - fairies or something live in them....

 

 

But great firewood

Thought that was elder?

[sime42]

Yeah, I thought it was Elder where the fairies lived. Witches though, they venerate Rowan, so don't cut them down either!

[sime42]

1 hour ago, spandit said:

I cut as high as I was comfortable holding the saw. Wasn't far off my shoulder height

 

Fair enough, only messing. I thought it looked lower but must be the photo, or my eyes.

[Steven P]

You've made me question myself now, I'll have to check.

 

Rowan on the boundaries so the witches can't cross? Something like that, looks like work will have to pause this afternoon.