We were recently contacted by a customer in Co. Tipperary who found themselves facing a difficult decision regarding a group of mature ash trees growing alongside a public road. While they were keen to retain the trees, they were understandably concerned about their future condition and the potential liability should a branch or stem fail over the highway.
Following an assessment, we suggested hard pollarding as an alternative to complete removal. Pollarding is a traditional tree management technique that involves reducing the tree back to a framework of main stems, encouraging vigorous new growth from specific pruning points. In this case, it provided a practical way to retain the trees while significantly reducing their size and future management requirements.
The work required careful dismantling and pruning due to the trees’ location adjacent to the road and overhead utilities. Traffic management measures were put in place throughout the project to ensure the safety of both the public and our team while the work was carried out.
One of the main advantages of pollarding is that it creates a predictable management cycle. Rather than allowing the trees to continue growing unchecked and potentially requiring major intervention in the future, the new growth can be managed through regular maintenance. We will return on a four-year cycle to re-pollard the regrowth, keeping the trees safe, manageable and in good condition for years to come.
This project demonstrates that tree removal is not always the only option. With the correct pruning approach, it is often possible to retain mature trees, reduce risk and extend their useful life within the landscape.
If you have trees that are becoming difficult to manage or are causing concern, we are always happy to offer practical advice and discuss the options available.
Services Provided
- Hard pollarding
- Ash tree management
- Tree surgery
- Highway tree management
- Risk reduction pruning
- Ongoing cyclical tree maintenance
