Mature Horse Chestnut

[colwoodlandcare]

I need a little advice on a Horse Chestnut that I've been asked to prune back as hard as possible, i know pruning standards ect are 20% leaf volume??? but could i get away with taking it back a lot more?

Would it live if i pollarded it or should i just do some extreme drop crotching?

[arb culture]

Removing the crown from a mature tree is called creating a monolith.

 

I know it's in common usage, and I'm not criticising anyone for using it, but doesn't the word 'monolith' refer to stones? From the Greek monos - single, and lithos - stone?

 

I always feel it a bit strange to use this word in reference to a tree.