"Conker trees"

Hi all.Next door neighbour was asked by house insurers if he had any trees in excess of 20ft within 10yds of the property (never been asked that before!) As luck would have it we have a string of Conker trees running along the opposite side of the small road which have just overgrown this hight. Question he asked is can these trees be capped (I know there is a special name for it ie cutting main branches at the top of the trunk as a means of reducing height)and encourage side growth or would it kill them? I appreciate it that most of this type of tree will be killed by blight within a few years but wouldnt like to destroy them. By the way! these trees have been designated as "decorative" trees so not protected.

 

Rockpebblar, what you are talking about is Pollarding. This is, as you say, when the branches are cut back to the trunk. I have to admit, I have never heard of it being done to a horse chestnut before. That, however, doesn`t mean it cannot be done.

 

You can pollard horse chestnut but imo it doesnt suit it. Carfull crown reduction is aestheticly more pleasing if done properly.

Im afraid that to my knowledge neither method will restrict the root growth.

 

It would probably look hideous, I would think.
Far too many trees around here are having their tops cut out in the name of safety, in a few years we will have no full grown trees in built up areas.
Its another sign of the times, lets just plant crab apples and be thankfull. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, then all the apples drop to the ground and people slip on them. :D

 

My local MP is going to introduce a bill on it. It's going to be called 'A Bill to legislate for the introduction of Part P for Crab Apples, or a right load of old Pollards'

 

Its better than having those nasty spikey balls drop on yer David.

John you are indeed taking pollards, again. :D

 

If the health and safety jobsworths had their way, there wouldn`t be a tree left standing in Britain. :rolleyes: :D

 

I don't know about 'decorative' trees,I've got a drive lined with them,they must have been there when the house was built over 100 years ago because they're huge. If Flintshire council want to get rid of them for me,they're welcome to them, I'll start worrying when the roots start to come up through the livingroom floor. :eek:

 

The land and the road on which the trees sit belongs to the "Home office" and the trees were planted as a decorative touch approx six feet apart and three feet from the road, I took it upon myself after consultation with all parties to take out every second tree to give them "space" and watched them grow from 6footers to nearly thirty. Every year of course is a delight to watch the kiddies throwing stones and logs up to knock the conkers down hitting the cars parked nearby, and we heartily laugh as they occasionally climb and fall out of the trees (I am first aid trained)and its a sign of the times that when you enquire if it is just a single fracture or multiple, how many times the "F" word comes out from the innocents mouths (God bless them!)
Seriously though! The trees are a bit of a nuisance and were wrongly planted by someone who did not appreciate that they would grow to vast hights and they cut off sunlight for most of the summer to the from of the houses, we are not short of trees round here in fact my house is virtually surrounded by forrestation of some kind even poplars of full size so we are not uncaring in that respect.
PS Pete, I am most deffinately not a city boy! The nearest pub or shop is nearly two miles away and no buses

 

Forgot to mention...we sit on about thirty to fifty feet of "Solid clay"

 

Sounds good to me then rockpebblar, (The bit about not being a city boy, as opposed to sitting on thirty to fifty feet of clay)

You could end up with piles. :D

 

Its a catch 22, removal of big trees can cause subsidence when the roots start to rot.

To be honest 30' trees are small and would be comparativly cheap to have felled if you do this sooner rather than later. If it were me this is the course of action Id be looking into.

 

Thanks for all the info guys, will have to have a conflab with the "Bossman" at the establishment which runs the estate and see what he feels is the best options for all,I must admit I am getting a little too long in the tooth to continue climbing up and trimming off the branches that may catch vehicles enroute so a replanting program may be an option.
again
thanks