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Another Question on Pollarding Dappled Willow

13 years ago

Have another one for you. When I read about pollarding, I don't see a lot about how to make the cuts. From the pictures it looks as though you just lob them off any old place. This though goes against all the rules of pruning, does it not? How will the cuts ever heal this way? I'm not too worried about it, just curious:)

Thanks

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Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
You're correct - pollarding/high coppicing is a LOT different from normal pruning practices :-) Generally, pollarding is cutting back all the branches to the central or main trunk, which is why it's a good idea to start this training practice while the plant is still quite young. The grafted feature of your willow encourages this. Some of the larger branches can be left and are then cut back severely and left as stubs (in total opposition to regular recommended pruning cuts). Look again at some of the online photos and how-to's....most do not show just a willy-nilly hacking back but a pretty complete removal, typically on an annual basis.

It's a pretty radical technique and maybe a bit daunting to the fainthearted but it's been around for eons and is usually quite successful.
botann
13 years ago
If the idea is to get twiggy new growth, I'd just shear it a couple times a season. I realize that's not pollarding or in most cases even intelligent pruning, but in this case it will result in what you want to get.
No matter how you prune this Willow, you can't hurt it. Why not experiment?
Starts are easy too.
Mike
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Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
13 years ago
It's a pretty radical technique and maybe a bit daunting to the fainthearted but it's been around for eons and is usually quite successful.

I participated in an ongoing project on the Northern Cheyenne reservation a few years ago. You could tell you were getting close to the res because almost all the willow were pollarded and their branches were straight and true. Fat trunks and repetitive pruning. Drive away from the res, the willow looked like what you expect. Return, and you could tell folks were using their branches.

Dan
flora_uk
13 years ago
Dan that is interesting to hear. I live near an area where willow is still grown commercially for basketry and it sounds as if the skills and techniques are widespread around the world wherever willow grows.

There was an outcry amongst those who didn't know about pollarding when my city cut back some big old willows near the river here. People thought the trees had been destroyed when they had only been treated as they had been for centuries.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pollarded willow

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