What is Pollarding?

As we wax into winter my mind turns to pollarding. When I walk to the shops and take in the leaves on the ground my eyes inevitably rise up to the tree tops. And I wonder, will they be pollarded this year?

Pollarding is…

Pollarding is essentially pruning. Hard pruning. Very hard. I mean really, really hard. At a set height each time. In fact, it is done to keep the trees from growing too tall. And, by cutting the top branches back, it stimulates new and lush, leafy growth. What you end up with is something looking like very large poofy mushrooms. Only green. (Well, at least on top.)

Pollarded trees are mostly found in parks, around parking areas and along roads here in France.The trees are pruned so that rather than grow high, they give the ultimate amount of shade. A wonderful thing come summer, as it can mean the difference between getting in a baking hot oven or a cool and comfortable car.

Along roads, they are pruned a little higher, though not much. Just enough to allow trucks to pass easily underneath. Again, the main aim is shade, though this time on the roads. Come the height of summer, one often sees cars pulled on the verge between the trees during lunch, making the most of the cooler spaces.

Only in France (?)

France has this thing about pollarding. They are seriously, seriously into it. I have never seen it anywhere else. At least not knowingly. (Though I have heard that Italy is quite keen on it too.) But then I only discovered about pollarding after moving to France.

Pollarding happens around every 3 to 5 years. The pruners, usually from the local council, come along in winter and cut off ALL the upper branches. What you are left with is a rather stunted looking hand, with nobbly bits at the end. Like someone cut the fingers off at the first knuckle. It’s not actually very pretty.

But come spring, these stunted digits will start to sprout slender branches, all over. And as there is no other canopy to compete with, they tend to grow long and straight. The first year is never as lush as ensuing years, but you still end up with a big puff ball of leaves, quite high and nicely wide.

But why?

Pollarding began around the medieval times. It was originally to garner wood, without having to cut down the tree. Can you say ‘sustainable’? Depending on how long between pollarding cycles, and thus the thickness of the wood it could be used for a multitude of things: weaving baskets, wattling fences and even feed for cows.

Pollarded trees often live longer too. Because they are kept shorter they are less prone to weather damage. With less high thick branches, the wind has less to grab hold of. The thinner, younger branches simply sway in the strong breezes.

Urban vs Country

Also, pollarding works really well in urban areas (whether medieval or today). Because the trees are kept stunted, areas that couldn’t normally house a large tree, could still grow trees. You see what grows above, creates an equal below, so if you keep the tree short you have less disruption of root growth. And bonus the canopy created by pollarding is much denser, so more shade in public areas. Courtyards, plazas, parks, and so on, all benefited and still do today from being heavily pruned.

France in particular likes its pollarded trees in parks and picnic areas, around parking (as mentioned) and along roads. And the odd French canal. Really, wherever there are telephone or power lines (e.g. villages) and/or a need to control the height and growth. Or a desire to provide the ultimate amount of shade possible.

Origin of the Species

The most common types of trees to be pollarded are oak, ash, elm and maple to name a few. Hazel and Willow also, though they are more likely to be copsed than pollarded.

The term pollarding stems from ‘poll’, originally a name for the top of the head. ‘To Poll’ meant to crop one’s hair. (You can see where this is going if you look at the pictures, can’t you?). Oh, and by the way, it is pronounced ‘paul’ or ‘paul-larding’, though the origin of polling has a similar root.

Now the big question this winter… to poll or not to poll? What will be the answer?

More Garden Findings?

I have learnt a lot about gardening since my time in France, mainly due to my own garden being a complete restoration project. You will find a selection of gardening tips and tricks for your reading pleasure in my: Garden Findings.

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