Re: [Fwd: Acacia et al.]

If you read Loren Russell's message about the practice you will see that
I'm not exaggerating about "abhor and revile." 
Coppicing or "pollarding" is the periodic (annual or biannual) radical
pruning of full-grown trees in mid-winter, leaving the trunk with a
rosette of stumps.  Admittedly not very sightly for a couple of months,
but contributing to a vigorous and healthy canopy within a very short
time.  The prunings are used for stakes, firewood, forage, etc. The
purpose can differ according to the tree.  For roadside plane-trees, or
those near houses an important reason is to make sure all branches are
young, healthy and unlikely to cause damage.  Shade is also
important--this creates the densest canopies.  Outdoor restaurants in
France Italy Greece etc, have dense shady"pergolas" made of the
pollarded branches of mulberies trained on a grid of wire.
I wonder if anyone has any information about whether this increases the
long-term health and longevity of the trees in question.  A successful
centuries old practice cannot be dismissed as ... what, sheer sadism?


Jane Reese wrote:
> 
> >something I've always wondered about: Why do Americans abhor and revile
> >the tried-and-true and eminently practical European method of coppicing?
> 
> I have never heard of it, so abhor and revile is a bit beyond me.
> Will you please explain what coppicing is, how one does it, what results, etc.
> Thanks,
> 
> Jane
> 
> >Many of the problems mentioned re Acacia melanoxylon, for example
> >(danger of falling branches etc. ) might be brought under control with
> >annual coppicing resulting in a shapelier healthier tree and an annual
> >supply of stakes or firewood.  Besides, something I know many
> >californians miss (I spent three years at Mills College in Oakland) if
> >widely practiced it would underline and emphasize the change of seasons.
> >It is particularly useful for roadside trees or trees that make messes.
> >On our land in Corfu we do it annually for wild mulberries and
> >bi-annually for the cercis siliquastrum which are the closest we have to
> >volunteer weeds. Wild pears we prune in a more sightly fashion every few
> >years.  The wild mulberies provide excellent stakes, and the others,
> >along with the biannual olive prunings, all the firewood we need.
> >Speaking of unwelcome volunteers: ailanthus has begun to rear its ugly
> >head on the island.  I like to think that the annual five-month drought
> >will keep it in check.  If not, may God have mercy on us.
> >Cali Doxiadis.
> 
> _______________________________________________________________________
> 
> Jane Reese
> E-mail:  jreese@silcom.com
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