pollarding

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pollarding A system of management in which the main stem of a (usually young) tree is severed about 2 m above ground level, favouring the development of lateral branches. Repeated pollarding leads to the formation of a slightly swollen boll in the main stem immediately below the lateral branches and frequent pollarding, common with willows (Salix species), produces many thin-stemmed lateral branches. Less frequent pollarding was a traditional management practice in wood-pastures, where grazing pressure made coppicing impracticable. Pollarded wood-pastures were characteristic of slower-growing woodlands on infertile soils or in upland areas, and pollarding was also used to produce particular sizes and shapes of timber needed for structural uses. In Britain, the ancient and ornamental woodlands of the New Forest include classic relict wood-pastures containing pollarded beeches and oaks.

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