Topping Silver Birch

Question

You say young trees can not Pollard. How old is young I have 2 silver birches planted 2013 too tall now Can they be topped

Answer 1

You can pollard an older tree, but it will be slow to regrow and more susceptible to disease. Also, once you start, you have to keep it up. For true pollarding, you wouldn't prune a branch older than two or three years. Pruning older limbs can be damaging and cause decay.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/what-is-pollarding.htm

https://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2003/092703.html

https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/rcs-pollarding1.shtml