There is an even larger and older sycamore growing happily high on the downland S.W. of Littlebredy - tree no. 8341
This is a rare specimen of an "old" tree still managed as a pollard. Two hundred years ago this would have been a common sight in the countryside where established trees were cut for firewood, and for feeding to cattle. Usually cut some 8-10 feet high to prevent the new growth from being eaten by cattle or deer. It was a common practice in Buckinghamshire to climb the trees using metal crampons, to cut the new growth every 3-5 years.
Shortlisted for Tree of the Year in 2015. The following links are of interest.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/15/arts.politics This has information about the NT dating the tree at c320 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-MVv0zbPs8&t=424s This NT video discusses the pollarding management (after context from a guy from the TUC) and ends with the astonishing sight of the presenter standing in the hollow trunk having lowered himself down from the top of the trunk!
Status changed from Veteran to Ancient after reference to Tom Reed, former Citizen Science Officer at Woodland Trust.
There is an even larger and older sycamore growing happily high on the downland S.W. of Littlebredy - tree no. 8341
This is a rare specimen of an "old" tree still managed as a pollard. Two hundred years ago this would have been a common sight in the countryside where established trees were cut for firewood, and for feeding to cattle. Usually cut some 8-10 feet high to prevent the new growth from being eaten by cattle or deer. It was a common practice in Buckinghamshire to climb the trees using metal crampons, to cut the new growth every 3-5 years.
Shortlisted for Tree of the Year in 2015. The following links are of interest. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jul/15/arts.politics This has information about the NT dating the tree at c320 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-MVv0zbPs8&t=424s This NT video discusses the pollarding management (after context from a guy from the TUC) and ends with the astonishing sight of the presenter standing in the hollow trunk having lowered himself down from the top of the trunk!
Status changed from Veteran to Ancient after reference to Tom Reed, former Citizen Science Officer at Woodland Trust.