Veteran Oak

[Arborworks Ltd]

Today we were called to view an Old Oak within the New Forest National Park, this tree measured 80' tall, the canopy spread was 25 metres and the butt measured 5 metres round. When we first saw the tree from a distance it looked in good vigar, but on closer inspection it had a large split down the main trunk, we called the tree officer who came out right away. We discussed options and due to its suroundings he advised that we fell. The tree is estimated to be between 250 - 300 years old, it seems a great shame to fell such a tree of this age. What are your thoughts on this, would you fell or pollard?

[MasterBlaster]

Pollard? Do you mean TOP??? H E LL-N O !!!

 

Trim it and lighten the limbs, then cable it! Nothing to it!

 

It's not like there's anything underneath it. Why kill it if there are no targets?

[DrewB]

Pollard? Do you mean TOP??? H E LL-N O !!!

 

Trim it and lighten the limbs, then cable it! Nothing to it!

 

It's not like there's anything underneath it. Why kill it if there are no targets?

 

gotta agree with ya there mb!

[Mr Ed]

Pollard? Do you mean TOP??? H E LL-N O !!!

 

Trim it and lighten the limbs, then cable it! Nothing to it!

 

It's not like there's anything underneath it. Why kill it if there are no targets?

 

Pollarding is not topping.

 

But I agree on the course of action - lighten load and brace. will last for another 100 years.

Its Vitally important that trees like that are retained in any way. Its incredible the amount of flora and fauna that inhabit an old oak tree. Each tree is a micro eco system in itself.

[wattie]

Agree with above reduce weight and brace.

 

Just to add I have seen larger tree like this in the states where thay have also bolt braced through the main stem I know it meens drilling through live wood etc but rather do that then lose a tree of this inportance.

 

I know we do not seem to do this much here any more but it has its place when required now and again, but it may be something to consider seemed to work well on the trees I have looked at out there.

[David Humphries]

What exactly are the targets?

Can you not exclude/divert targets.

Dissapointed a TO advised a fell.

Whats the whole story on their reasoning.

Agree with MB on management option.

Although I would definately consider natural fracture pruning.

 

If you do remove, do you consider bat surveys?

 

Far too many mature trees like this one are prematurely felled, without any ecological impact assesment.

We're losing too many large Quercus naturally already.

Future populations of this species are not going to be as evident as they have been, and that will have an enormous impact on the biodiversity of this fine old land of ours.

 

Personaly, I would even suggest a Heavy pollard/topping as a last resort, if only to slow down the rapid leeching of habitat.

[Mesterh]

I agree to all of the above but this one

Although I would definately consider natural fracture pruning.

 

Why would you want to do that?

The tree has enough problems as it is why introduce some more?

[Lee Winger]

Not really a veteran IMO, depending on the target area i'm going to stick my neck out and suggest the tree is topped! and I mean topped maybe even coronet/natural fracture pruned..

 

If you correctly pollard imo there is a high chance the tree won't push out a flush of epicormic, at least with topping you'll be keeping the vascular system moving and lightening the load at the same time, topping does have its place imo, then later down the road i'd consider pollarding..

[Jamie]

I bet there are some pretty nice micro climates within that stem. I'd say reduce it and thin it, maybe pretty substantialy.

 

Jamie

[Mike Hill]

I'd fell it,its shagged.

 

Pollarding/Cable bracing etc have their place.Use the money saved by not having to maintain it by planting a nice line of Oaks along the rear boundry.

 

I have a loverly 69" Bar for an 088 that hasn't had a meal in a while.