Tree Pollarding

Tree pollarding services in Moray and Aberdeenshire

Tree Pollarding

Tree pollarding is a type of tree pruning which stops a tree from becoming too big for its space.

Are you worried a tree will outgrow its space?  If so, Epic Tree Care can advise you whether pollarding is a suitable option for you.

Pollarding is suitable for a variety of species including lime, sycamore, maples, willows, poplars, plane trees and others.  It is not suitable for conifers and is normally not suitable for birch, beech and some other broadleaf species.  Epic Tree Care provides expert tree advice and pruning in Moray, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.

If pollarding is not suitable we can suggest other pruning solutions to reduce the size of a tree.

Moray Tree Pollarding Services

Pollarding typically involves pruning all the branches of a tree to the same points on a regular cycle. This reduces the overall height and spread of a without felling the tree. If your tree has never been pruned before, Epic Tree Care can select the correct pollarding points and carry out this work. It is worth investing in an expert tree surgeon to do this work, as these will be the points the tree is pruned back to for the rest of its life.  We will make sure the tree has an appropriate, balanced shape for future pruning. Once a tree has been pollarded, it should continue to be pollarded on a regular cycle. Epic Tree Care will advise you how frequently your tree should be re-pollarded. Providing expert advice based on tree species, health and location. Some tree surgeons in northeast Scotland offer tree lopping services.  The term tree lopping has no definite meaning in tree surgery. It is often associated with poor pruning practice, leaving misshaped trees and sometimes killing the tree. Expert tree pollarding is not the same as tree lopping. Therefore we always recommend choosing a tree surgeon who understands the difference.

Pollarding in Aberdeenshire

Do you own an old pollard tree which has not been pruned for many years?  If so, Epic Tree Care can provide pruning advice and carry out the work in Moray, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire. Old pollard trees – known as lapsed pollards – need to be pruned with particular skill and care. Lapsed pollard trees also have a particularly high risk of branches splitting out. If you own an old pollard tree in Moray, Banffshire or Aberdeenshire, please give us a call and we will be happy to give you our expert tree advice.
Contact our qualified tree surgeons today for more information or to arrange a free quote.

Is Tree Pollarding the Right Solution?​

If you are not sure whether pollarding is the right solution for your trees in North East Scotland, the best thing to do is to get in touch with us and provide us with some basic details of the specimens in question, along with the problems you are currently experiencing. However if you would like to get the facts clear in your head and consider the matter carefully before contacting us, you may find the information below to be of some use. In the next sections, our tree surgeons explain some of the pros and cons associated with tree pollarding, along with some additional points that you may like to consider before deciding what to do.

Pros and Cons of Tree Pollarding

Pollarding is a widely accepted and well established arboricultural practice, employed to help control the size and shape of mature trees. It has many benefits to offer but it’s not always the right solution. Let’s tackle things in reverse order by looking at the negatives first: some reasons that pollarding may be the wrong choice.

Cons of Tree Pollarding

Not all trees are suitable candidates for pollarding. As mentioned above, it is not a good idea to try pollarding birch or beech trees, along with certain other broadleaf species. Most conifers are also unsuitable candidates for this particular procedure. Additionally, you will need to pay for professional help: this is not a procedure that can be performed by unskilled persons.

Pros of Tree Pollarding

Pollarding has many benefits to offer suitable specimens, including a longer lifespan, more sunlight and a reduction in top weight, which makes trees less susceptible to damage during stormy weather.

Additional Points to Consider​

In addition to the above-mentioned pros and cons, you may also like to consider any risks to persons or property that your trees may currently pose. If it helps you to reduce the risk of accidental damage and injury on your land, tree pollarding will definitely be a wise investment. If you’re still undecided, please feel free to call and speak to us now.

Testimonials

Please see our great reviews from 200+ satisfied customers on Yell, Bark and Google.

Posted on Google Google
Elaine Rushant profile picture
Elaine Rushant
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have just purchased a property in Cullen and the trees in our garden needed to be pruned back as the garden was very overgrown. We were extremely happy with the job carried out by Epic Tree Care Limited. Elaine provided us with a clear and detailed quote. When the work was carried out the whole team were lovely and were really helpful in passing on their knowledge about the various species in our garden. Jason also fully explained what they'd done and what they hadn't (nesting birds!) so we knew exactly how the job was progressing. A great job done! I wouldn't hesitate to use their services again in future.
Posted on Google Google
Lorna Adam profile picture
Lorna Adam
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We had a couple of trees removed by Epic Tree Care. They provided a quote very promptly and turned up to carry out the work at the agreed time. The team were all very helpful and friendly. The trees were cut up and left in a neat pile as we had requested. They removed all the unusable small branches and left the area tidy.
Posted on Google Google
Michael Barron profile picture
Michael Barron
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We have used Epic several times to remove large windblown and damaged trees from our garden and they always do the work very efficiently and expertly at a reasonable cost. Epic also deals with getting consent from Moray Council under the tree preservation order which covers all of the trees in our garden, so we do not need to worry about the paperwork.
Posted on Google Google
Beatrix Etienne profile picture
Beatrix Etienne
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I’ve used Epic Tree Care twice now, and on both occasions they’ve delivered excellent service and great value for money. Their pricing is very competitive compared to others I looked at, and they always carry out a survey and provide a free quote before starting any work. The team arrived on time, got straight to work, and were professional and courteous throughout. They did a great job and left my garden clean and tidy afterwards. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them and will definitely be using their services again in the future.
Posted on Google Google
Diane Wilson profile picture
Diane Wilson
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Great advice, all paperwork done for us. Work was carried out in a timely manner and all debris removed. Highly recommend.
Posted on Google Google
Dan C profile picture
Dan C
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent work, done safely, quickly and tidily. Will use again.
Posted on Google Google
Fraser Fergus profile picture
Fraser Fergus
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Epic Tree Care recently dealt with a 20m-plus poplar that had been blown to a precarious angle in the last storm. It was removed carefully and the surrounding area was tidier after the work than it had been before they arrived. I will certainly be using Epic Tree Care in future and am very happy to recommend them.
Posted on Google Google
John Kingston profile picture
John Kingston
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Four trees taken down,stumps out,all garden cleaned up never known they were here,great team of men,First class company.
Posted on Google Google
caroline brewer profile picture
caroline brewer
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing service, very smart efficient friendly workers. Made a professional job of my conifers and you wouldn’t have known they had been in. Thank you for a stress free service 👍

We operate with £10 million Public Liability Insurance and £10 million Employers Liability Insurance

Qualifications list

Inspection

Professional Tree Inspection: Lantra Professional Tree Inspection

Lifting Equipment: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Thorough Examination of Arboricultural Equipment

Woodchipper: Lantra Woodchippers

Stumpgrinder: Lantra Stumpgrinders

Chainsaw: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting

Chainsaw: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Ground Based Chainsaw Operator

Chainsaw (200-380mm): City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Felling Small Trees up to 380mm

Chainsaw (over 380): City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Felling and Processing Trees over 380mm

Windblow: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Severing Uprooted or Windblown Trees using a Chainsaw

Assisted Fell: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Assisted Fell Operations

Rescue: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue

Chainsaw: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness

Chainsaw: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Aerial Tree Pruning

Chainsaw: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall Techniques

Rigging: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Aerial Tree Rigging

Utility Arboriculture: City & Guilds NPTC Level 3 Utility Arboriculture Basic Electrical Knowledge

Chokerman – Skyline: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations – Chokerman

Base Skidder: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations – Base Machine with Skidder

Forwarder: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations – Base Machine with Forwarder

Mulcher: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations – Flail/Mulcher

Felling: City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Forest Machine Operations – Felling

First Aid: Emergency First Aid at Work + Forestry