Restoration of lapsed beech pollards in the Basque region of Spain: comparison of different cutting techniques

ABSTRACT

Methods used to restore lapsed beech pollards by pruning were compared across four sites in northern Spain. Tree response, between five and 10 years after cutting, was compared with information about the cutting techniques used. The results provide further information about the techniques that maximise the success of working trees with this history of management in the Basque region of Spain, and furthers our understanding of managing these types of trees wherever they occur. When restoring lapsed pollards, choose trees in moderate shade with many branches. Retain at least three uncut branches spread around the tree, avoid cutting too close to the bolling and leave some foliage. If possible, cut branches less than 30 cm in diameter and with good epicormic growth. Cutting close to the bolling brings greater risks. A flow chart is provided to help the decision process.

KEYWORDS:

• Pollard
• beech
• restoration

Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to the owners and managers of the sites where the work was carried out: Aia, Leitza, Oiartzun and Oñati Town Councils, and Gipuzkoa County Council.

The pruning work at Leitza was carried out through the efforts of Jose Miguel Elosegui and Miguel-Mari Elosegi and funded by the Leitza Town Council. For other sites, work was funded by LIFE programmes LIFE05/NAT/E/000067 and LIFE08/NAT/E/000075 led by the Gipuzkoa County Council. Basoa Fundazioa, Naturgintza Fundazioa, the Basque Government and the Town Councils of Errenteria, Hernani, Irun and Oiartzun partnered LIFE05/NAT/E/000067. Hazi, the Society of Sciences of Aranzadi, Itsasmendikoi, Basoa Fundazioa and the Basque Government partnered LIFE08/NAT/E/000075. Thanks to Valentin Mugarza and Jose Maria Fernández for logistical help during our visits.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. This information was not recorded at Artaso so information from this site was omitted from the relevant analyses.

2. Haloing involves trees being removed in a ring around an old tree that is suffering from shade.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helen Read

Helen Read is Conservation Officer for the City of London Corporation based at Burnham Beeches where she has worked for over 30 years. She has also worked for the Ancient Tree Forum on the VETree and VETcert projects developing training and certification systems for veteran tree professionals. Helen has a particular interest in pollards, especially beech.

Vikki Bengtsson

Vikki Bengtsson is an ecologist and has worked professionally with nature conservation since 1992. Up until 2003, she worked in England and now works primarily in Sweden. Vikki has worked throughout her career with issues relating to practical management and restoration of ancient trees and wood-pastures. She also trains arborists, landscape architects, site managers and planners in the care and management of ancient trees. She was project manager for the European VETree and VETcert projects developing training and a certification system for veteran tree professionals across Europe.

Alberto Castro

Alberto Castro works as a researcher and consultant in the Department of Entomology of the Society of Sciences of Aranzadi. He carries out biological and ecological studies applied to the conservation of threatened invertebrate species and their habitats.

Reg Harris

Reg Harris is the Director of Urban Forestry (Bury St Edmunds) Ltd and is an arborist specialising in veteran trees who has worked on trees in many important sites in the UK.

C. Philip Wheater

C. Philip Wheater is Professor Emeritus in Environmental and Geographical Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has been researching in the fields of countryside management, human impacts on the environment, and the conservation of both habitats and species for over 35 years. He also has an interest in ecological field techniques and the statistical analysis of environmental data.

Helen, Vikki and Reg. all hold the VETcert Veteran Tree Specialist Consulting level qualification and Reg. holds the practising level too.