I've got some hornbeam - between 15-20 years old - which have been severely attacked by grey squirrels. Fortunately the trunks were protected by netting (to prevent deer damage) so the trees are still good up to about three feet above the ground. Above that the bark has been pretty much stripped away. So I figure the best thing to do is coppice or pollard them. But I need to know the right time to do this - right now, or should I wait until the autumn, winter or next spring? Any advice most gratefully received. Incidentally, there's quite a bit of info on the internet about coppicing, but little or none that I could find on the precise times to do it for the different trees. Does anyone know a site that gives this information?
