Pollarding
Pollarding involves cutting trees at about shoulder height, above the level of browsing by animals such as deer. They reshoot at this height, producing new wood for future cutting. This is why there are so many ancient trees at Epping Forest, as it has been used there for many, many years. This helps trees live longer, because if a tree were not pollarded, its crown would become too heavy and the tree would topple over or split. Older trees support a wide range of habits in nooks and crannies for small mammals, birds, invertebrates (like the rare saproxylic beetle) and fungi. These habitats are preserved by not chopping down the tree. It's a good example of sustainable management because it ensures a supply of wood for future generations. Wood can be gained while the tree's alive, and it can be re-planted once dead. |