Don't top lombardys

[Tom D]

I have taken dow a fair few Lombardy poplars over the last few years, one thing that I have noticed is that all the ones which had been heavily pruned were rotten right down to the base. Some had been brutaly topped to just poles and some just reduced, others which had never been pruned were sound, even large ones.

 

This is one from today which had been topped 8 years ago, it had put on about 20 foot of growth in those 8 years. To look at it was fairly healthy, some of the old topping wounds were occluding and appart fron some minor deadwood it didn't look too bad.

 

After cutting it down you can see just how bad the decay was. The white rot appeared to be caused by a fungus with white mycelium and a strong mushroomy smell (no fruiting body). I have seen this many times before as I am sure many others have but wether its the same fungus every time I can't say. One thing I can say is that if you see a lombardy that has been topped over 5 years ago I'd bet good money its pretty rotten already, I am yet to see a heavily pruned on that hasn't been.

 

Makes you wonder if there will ever be a case where a contractor is sued for deliberately making a tree unsafe. Most of us have topped at some time or other and some species can handle it relatively well but in a lombardy pop its a time bomb. The speed of regrowth and the speed of the rot are recipie for disaster. Here's the pics.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Makes you wonder if there will ever be a case where a contractor is sued for deliberately making a tree unsafe. Most of us have topped at some time or other

 

Thats exactly my thoughts, someone some day is going to be canny enough to try it on and I recon they may have a good case, unless the contractor has also been canny and made them sign to say they agree to regularly maintain their newly pollarded tree.

[yorkshire pudding]

Agree totally.

Done loads like that,some make you wonder how they've stood like that for so long.

It's when your getting sprayed with stagnant water as your chogging it down and can't get a better position,that's never a pleasure.Smelling like a wet old mattress all day:thumbdown:

[Mesterh]

Probably taken hundres of lombardys down over the years and I must agree that topping does seem to cause decay to start fairly quickly but tbh I have taken down loads that have never been topped or pruned and they have been just as bad.

 

They are just a rubbish tree lets face it

Edited April 1, 2009 by John Shutler
swearing

[MattyF]

Thats exactly my thoughts, someone some day is going to be canny enough to try it on and I recon they may have a good case, unless the contractor has also been canny and made them sign to say they agree to regularly maintain their newly pollarded tree.

 

Agree total time bombs and for the contractors working on any so called pollard regrowth on the bloody things.

 

I refuse to top them now,only fell!

Closest i have come to death was roping off 10 year regrowth and the tree just broke up and tore in half because it was so rotten at the pollard bowls! I know of a guy who died doing the same thing when he had his roping point snap out and take his anchore point with him...apparently he would of survived as he hit the ground first but lombardys being like sails finshed him off when it landed on top of him a moment later.

[Tom D]

Agree total time bombs and for the contractors working on any so called pollard regrowth on the bloody things.

 

I refuse to top them now,only fell!

Closest i have come to death was roping off 10 year regrowth and the tree just broke up and tore in half because it was so rotten at the pollard bowls! I know of a guy who died doing the same thing when he had his roping point snap out and take his anchore point with him...apparently he would of survived as he hit the ground first but lombardys being like sails finshed him off when it landed on top of him a moment later.

 

:scared1:

 

Left alone they can be ok. I did this one last year, was around 4' at the base and totaly sound. In fact the stump was a bugger to grind.

[John Hancock]

That’s forward and responsible thinking Tom. I don’t top Poplars, Lombardy or otherwise – the vigorous re-growth, tight unions and associated decay and poor compartmentalisation just don’t make it worth it.

 

Personally I wish people would wake up to the fact that the urban landscape is ever-changing and constantly evolving, be it trees, or buildings. Poplars should be left to grow to their optimum size without topping, their self-optimising structures and should be left alone. Then, when they've reached their optimum height…….fell the buggers and re-plant.

[MattyF]

:scared1:

 

Left alone they can be ok. I did this one last year, was around 4' at the base and totaly sound. In fact the stump was a bugger to grind.

 

not always the case though ,when i was on emergancy call out for the council it was always pops that had snapped out topped or not in high winds, when they reach there optimum they just decline any way imo..fell re-plant

[Mark Bolam]

That’s forward and responsible thinking Tom. I don’t top Poplars, Lombardy or otherwise – the vigorous re-growth, tight unions and associated decay and poor compartmentalisation just don’t make it worth it.

 

Personally I wish people would wake up to the fact that the urban landscape is ever-changing and constantly evolving, be it trees, or buildings. Poplars should be left to grow to their optimum size without topping, their self-optimising structures and should be left alone. Then, when they've reached their optimum height…….fell the buggers and re-plant.

 

It is such a great feeling to know there are people out there who studied and woken up to the same facts you have. Nice one fellas.

[Mesterh]

Personally I wish people would wake up to the fact that the urban landscape is ever-changing and constantly evolving, be it trees, or buildings. Poplars should be left to grow to their optimum size without topping, their self-optimising structures and should be left alone. Then, when they've reached their optimum height…….fell the buggers and re-plant.

 

Couldnt agree more

 

Thing is when I've tried explain the probs of topping and recommend to fell they just think you are trying to get more money out of them so I dont say anything any more and just get on with the job. Money is better in my pocket than someone else's.