Services
Tree Pollardingin St Helens
Keep trees in tight streets and gardens at a fixed, manageable size by cutting back to the same pollard points on a regular cycle, carried out by qualified tree surgeons.
- 5.0 from 31 Google reviews
- Fully insured: cover up to £5m, details on request
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Open 6am – 10pm, seven days
15 years
in the trade across Merseyside
5.0 from 31
Google reviews
£5m cover
public liability, details on request
6am – 10pm
seven days, fast response
Free quotes
site visit, no obligation
Pollarding explained, what it is and when you need it
Pollarding is a traditional way of managing trees by cutting the branches back to the same points, known as pollard heads or knuckles, every few years. The tree re-shoots from those points, so it stays at a predictable size.
You will see it on limes, planes and willows in many older streets. Once a tree has been pollarded, it generally needs to stay on that cycle. Leaving a pollard for too long lets heavy new limbs grow from weak attachment points.
Pollarding is not the same as topping. It only works on species that respond well to it and is best started when a tree is young. Daniel will tell you honestly whether pollarding suits your tree, or whether a reduction would be better.
Who this service is for
- Owners of existing pollards, that are due, or overdue, for their next cut.
- Small gardens, with a suitable young tree that needs to be held at a fixed size for years to come.
- Street-facing properties, where a pollarded tree sits close to a road, path or building.
What happens if it's left
Overdue pollards
Regrowth left for too long becomes heavy limbs on weakly attached points that can split out.
Unsuitable species
Pollarding a mature tree that has never been managed this way can cause decay and decline.
Cutting below the knuckle
Cutting into the pollard head instead of above it removes the tree's best place to re-shoot.
Mistakes we see most often
- Topping a mature tree and calling it pollarding.
- Letting an established pollard go many years without a re-cut.
- Cutting into the knuckle instead of just above it.
- Pollarding a protected tree without consent.
How we do it, our five-step process
Step 1
Free site visit
Daniel checks the species, the condition of the pollard heads and how long since the last cut.
Step 2
Agree the plan
We agree whether this is a re-pollard on cycle, a new pollard, or whether a different job suits better.
Step 3
Permissions
TPO and Conservation Area status is checked, and any application handled in-house.
Step 4
Cut back to the heads
Regrowth is cut back cleanly to just above the pollard points, working from ropes or equipment.
Step 5
Chip and clear
All brash is chipped on site and recycled, and the area is left clean.
What you get out of it
Qualified crew
City & Guilds Level 3 Arboriculture, plus all relevant certificates held by Daniel and the team members.
Free written quote
Daniel visits, looks at the tree properly and gives you a written price. No price list, no obligation.
Site left clean
Everything we cut is chipped on site and recycled for biomass. Nothing goes to landfill and removal is included.
Fully insured
Public liability cover up to £5 million, details available on request.
Pollarding in detail
Pollarding versus topping
Topping means cutting a tree's top off at an arbitrary height. It leaves large wounds and usually produces weak, crowded regrowth. Pollarding is a planned system: cuts are made at established points, on species suited to it, and repeated on a regular cycle.
Which trees can be pollarded?
Species that respond well include lime, plane, willow and some others. Many conifers and some broadleaved species do not respond well at all. Daniel will advise on your particular tree.
Bringing an old pollard back
Pollards that have been left for many years can sometimes be brought back onto a cycle, but the work may need to be phased so the tree is not stressed. We will explain the options and agree them with you before starting.
- Re-cutting on cycle.
- Phased restoration of an overgrown pollard.
- Crown reduction where pollarding is not suitable.
Pollarding, your questions answered
How often does a tree need pollarding?
It varies by species and site. Many pollards are re-cut every few years. Daniel will advise once he has seen the tree.
Can any tree be pollarded?
No. Some species respond well and many do not. Mature trees never pollarded before are often better suited to a reduction.
Will the tree look bare afterwards?
Straight after cutting, yes. Suitable species re-shoot from the pollard heads in the following growing season.
Is pollarding the same as topping?
No. Pollarding is a planned, repeated cut at established points. Topping is an arbitrary cut that usually harms the tree.
How much will it cost?
There is no fixed price list because every tree is different. Daniel comes out, looks at the job and gives you a free written quote with no obligation.
What if my tree has a Tree Preservation Order?
We check TPO and Conservation Area status before any work and prepare and submit the application to the council in-house.
Which areas do you cover?
Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens and West Lancashire, including Widnes, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Maghull and Scarisbrick.
Where we work
Pollarding is carried out across Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens and West Lancashire. Pick your town for local detail, see the full list of services, or go back to the DW Treecare homepage.
Related services
Get your pollarding quote
Free site visit, a written price with clearance included, and no obligation to book. Ring Daniel directly or send the details over and we'll come and look.