Can you Pollard a Silver Birch?

Got some that are getting too big.

 

They're not a tree that likes hard pruning Zigs, so pollarding isn't recommended, if it is done, it should be done in the autumn when its going into dormancy as should any pruning of them. The re-growth on them will be bushy and not like the tree it was, its also said it will reduce the life expectancy of the tree.

Not much help I know if they're getting too big

 

When I lived in Sheffield, the old boy next door had one that grew taller than the house. He loved that tree but wanted it reduced. Being a bit old (an excuse, because he was every bit as agile and capable as me) he asked me to go up the ladders to do it. I cut the main trunk off at the height he asked me to, and it looked fine. Ok, at first it was obvious it had been cut, but by the time it greened up the following spring, it just looked like we'd rolled back the clock by a few years. That was about 3 or 4 years before I left Sheffield, and the tree was still doing fine when we moved away.

 

That is useful Bilbo, didn't think it was a good idea, asking for Sister, but one of them is going to fall over & split its trunk soon anyway.

 

I pollarded one last year just to see what happened and will have a look tomorrow. Silver Birch is OK for burning really quick. I coppiced a dozen or so of them about 6 years ago and they're a great source of pea sticks every couple of years.

 

I tend to cut the one I have on the allotment back in autumn, as Bilbo says, its the best time.
Any other time and it will "bleed".