Pollarding and Alder yes or no?

[Thesnarlingbadger]

Hi people have been asked to do a job for someone who is allergic to the catkins on the Alder of the house they have recently moved into.

They would not like the tree to be removed completely if helped as they like it and is a semi mature specimen.

Obviously it needs to have the blossom removed completely as this is what is causing the issue. I feel a fell is the right option because it will be a recurring issue otherwise but if they are willing to pay for new growth to be removed every year or two then far be it from me to tell them no.

So I just need to know how Alders hold up to being pollarded? I'm assuming not great.

Thanks in advance people.

[Chris Gagen]

GREY Alder coppices well so don't see why pollarding wouldn't work, and the regrowth is out of reach of rabbits etc...

Edited March 28, 2016 by Chris Gagen
wrong species!!

[treequip]

Its better described as topping rather than pollarding

 

Its going to have the undesired effects that topping has but give it a go

[TTP]

Just pick the catkins annually 😎. Topping won't solve anything as next years growth will have catkins surely. Best option would be to not buy the house in the first place but as the customer is always right... Fell and replant with a native tree that doesn't produce catkins.

[casto]

Just pick the catkins annually 😎. Topping won't solve anything as next years growth will have catkins surely. Best option would be to not buy the house in the first place but as the customer is always right... Fell and replant with a native tree that doesn't produce catkins.

 

I'd agree. Sounds like your peeing in the wind with that one, but as it's been said, customer is always right and if your get paid to reprune after your advice to fell then it's there own fault

[Kveldssanger]

Just pick the catkins annually 😎. Topping won't solve anything as next years growth will have catkins surely. Best option would be to not buy the house in the first place but as the customer is always right... Fell and replant with a native tree that doesn't produce catkins.

 

The customer is not always right.

 

Chemically treat the alder so that is doesn't produce catkins, perhaps? It can be done with elm, so why not alder.

 

Else, think before buying a house (as was said).

[Thesnarlingbadger]

Just pick the catkins annually 😎. Topping won't solve anything as next years growth will have catkins surely. Best option would be to not buy the house in the first place but as the customer is always right... Fell and replant with a native tree that doesn't produce catkins.

 

 

Yeah I'd agree, they didn't realise he was allergic to the Alder catkins until it started to sprout this spring, he knew he was allergic to birch though. I suppose even if you brought a house with a tree/plant that didn't agree with you then you can take it out and replace.

I'm going to give them there options and explain why a fell would be advised then it's up to them after. Just needed to know how well they react to being cut back hard.

[Thesnarlingbadger]

The customer is not always right.

 

 

 

Chemically treat the alder so that is doesn't produce catkins, perhaps? It can be done with elm, so why not alder.

 

 

 

Else, think before buying a house (as was said).

 

 

I'd love to know if these chemicals are on the market.

It's kind of an emergency job by the sounds of it the guy has got a blinding headache and can't breath very well, he's been given some antibiotics. I kind of sympathise with them on this one. They avoided buying a house with a birch in.

[Mick Dempsey]

Will catkins grow on new growth wood?

[Kveldssanger]

I'd love to know if these chemicals are on the market.

It's kind of an emergency job by the sounds of it the guy has got a blinding headache and can't breath very well, he's been given some antibiotics. I kind of sympathise with them on this one. They avoided buying a house with a birch in.

 

I recall some floral inhibitors being gibberellic acid-based, though their efficacy I cannot fully comment on (asides from what I have read, which is that they exist).

 

Just found this (suggests ethylene, another plant hormone, may also be something to utilise) - How to Stop Olive Trees From Flowering | Garden Guides

Edited March 28, 2016 by Kveldssanger