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I was always under the impression pollarding is best done annually. So initial cost + yearly maintenance, maybe worth asking what that would be per annum. The canopy looks huge, bet everyone in the road is permanently pulling out saplings.
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established trees do grown back quite quickly.
as others have said, pollarding is best done every one or two years as this reduces the shock to the tree, but many species will tolerate being pruned hard less frequently, and sycamore is one of these.
rough guide, if you were to prune it and leave it, 40% reduction will probably take 4 to 5 years to get back to about where it is now, pollarding maybe 8 to 10 years.
btw looks like there are two trees there, in different gardens, which have grown up to form one canopy?
Edit - just noted that you have said it's two trees in the OP.
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That really needs pollarding this Autumn to reduce the potential for damage should the whole tree, or a branch come off in the next set of Winter storms.
It will then need some attention, maybe every 5/6/7 years,
based upon a couple of Sycamores I have worked on in West London,
depending upon how much growth is put on each year.If the pollarding point is not too high, you could even do the follow up work yourself,
but, on a shorter rotation, to allow the use of hand tools.
(A Silky-type saw is preferable to a bow saw). -
Right then.
Personally, given the fact it spreads over multiple gardens I’d be inclined to have them bang it back to the previous pollard points, let it grow out for 2-3yrs then maintain a fluffy ball every few years afterwards.
The 40% reduction would essentially be a ‘high pollard’, we never really liked to take more than 25% of the upper crown for a reduction as more than that and you’ll end up with dozens of large wounds high up that will be tricky to monitor.
The reduction would likely require a follow-up thinning about 2yrs later once the reactionary re growth goes bonkers. After that you’ll be looking at a reduction every 4-8yrs to keep on top of it.The other problem you’ll have with reductions above old pollard points is that the unions of the trunks coming off that 30yr pollard will be prone to being a bit shitty and rotten- not saying they are but they could be.
It’s a sycamore so you can be as rough as you want and it’ll come back swinging.
Hit it hard, keep on top of the re growth and you might see a few stems after a few years worth letting grow into a new full crown.
Honestly, that’s probably slightly dated advice but the reality is it’s a damn big tree spreading multiple properties.
If it was in a big open space/garden it’d be a lift n thin every few years and nothing else.Edit- a 40% reduction would look pretty skeletal and ugly unless the climber is very very good.
Prices quoted seem about right although I’m 2yrs out the loop.
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Our neighbour have this massive Sycamore in their garden, plus another smaller one in the next house down. It's getting pretty massive and blocks a lot of light to the surrounding gardens. The neighbours are elderly and have been living in the house (renting) for 30 years. I thought I would get a quote/plan and then approach their landlord and other neighbours after that.
I have just had a tree surgeon out to advise/quote. He said it looks like it has been pollarded about 30+ years ago and then not touched. He said he could reduce it by 40% for about £1k or pollard it for about £2k. He recommends pollarding it.
What experience/advice does the hive mind have? I like the tree, I would just ideally have more natural light and have it a bit more under control. Ideally we won't have to spend lots every few years keeping it in check as well.
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