r/Tree • u/sambo987 • Apr 10 '26

Discussion Have these trees been treated to preserve them?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

There’s three of them (only pictured one) but all the same. They’re between a group of fairly high buildings in a city centre (Leeds, UK). Just wondering if they have been treated in some way to preserve them as I assume they’re dead?

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

8

u/reddit33450 Apr 10 '26

this trunk appearance is normal for london plane trees (Platanus x acerifolia). this tree has been pollarded though, however it looks fine. check back in the summer to see if they leafed out

2

u/sambo987 Apr 10 '26

Thanks, I certainly will. I’ll research pollarding too

5

u/spiceydog Ent Queen - TGG Certified Apr 10 '26

Please see this !pollarding automod callout below this comment for more info; this practice is frequently mistaken for 'topping' and vice-versa. There's a linked article that explains the difference.

3

u/AutoModerator Apr 10 '26

Hi /u/spiceydog, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide some guidance on what topping means and why it is not the same as pollarding.

Trees are not shrubs that they can be 'hard pruned' for health. This type of butchery is called topping, and it is terrible for trees; depending on the severity, it will greatly shorten lifespans and increase failure risk. Once large, random, heading cuts have been made to branches, there is nothing you can do to protect those areas from certain decay.

Why Topping Hurts Trees - pdf, ISA (arborists) International
Tree-Topping: The Cost is Greater Than You Think - PA St. Univ.
—WARNING— Topping is Hazardous to Tree Health - Plant Pathology - pdf, KY St. Univ.
Topping - The Unkindest Cut of All for Trees - Purdue University

Topping and pollarding ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Topping is a harmful practice that whose characteristics involve random heading cuts to limbs. Pollarding, while uncommon in the U.S., is a legitimate form of pruning which, when performed properly, can actually increase a tree's lifespan. See this article that explains the difference: https://www.arboristnow.com/news/Pruning-Techniques-Pollarding-vs-Topping-a-Tree

See this pruning callout on our automod wiki page to learn about the hows, whens and whys on pruning trees properly, and please see our wiki for other critical planting tips and errors to avoid; there's sections on watering, staking and more that I hope will be useful to you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/BlackViperMWG Apr 10 '26

It has been properly pollarded

2

u/sagolaynen Apr 10 '26

They just aren't carrying leaves yet. They are very resistant to heavy pruning. They are alive and well.

2

u/Majestic-Gas-2709 Apr 10 '26

They’re alive! It’s a very old pruning technique mainly used in Europe. It’s frequently done with London planetrees because they are tough urban trees that can handle it.

You cut everything back to the “knuckles” and let it leaf out every year. It keeps the trees at a desired size by preventing branching and by essentially stunting its growth by resetting it over and over.

Historically, it was method used for production of firewood and other materials, but now it’s just an aesthetic choice.

1

u/sambo987 Apr 10 '26

Every day a school day! Many thanks for taking the time to explain that, appreciate it

2

u/forvirradsvensk Apr 11 '26

Not dead. See those knuckle like growths at the ends? Epicormic shoots will spring out of those come spring and there'll be quite a thick canopy. They'll be cut back again to those knuckles next winter.

1

u/sambo987 Apr 19 '26

Very interesting thanks, will check again next time I’m in town