Cutting down 100+yr old Willow trees

[MsLup]

We have a few very old large Willow trees on our farm land. DH wants to cut them down to 10ftish and pollard them in future. Reason given, they are in the way (between two fields) and could potentially become dangerous and destroy fencing.

To me it is sacrilege as they are a haven for wildlife with many nesting species particularly owls and can be seen across the rather flat landscape of the area.

I have tried to discuss a compromise such as only removing a third of their height and pollarding but DH is insistent (rather aggressively) that they will be coming down.

We own the land jointly and besides trying to get a TPO discreetly I have no idea where to go from here. Utterly heartbroken he feels the need to be so destructive. I still recall how he cut down a 25ft Holly tree at a previous property 25years ago.

Suggestions please as this is causing severe marital disharmony. He is currently sulking after a very heated discussion.

Is there a local wildlife group you could contact who could help to persuade him how very wrong he is?

Are you/your DH farmers? Are there any grants available for keeping the trees? Any protected species in there?

As you jointly own the land surely this should be agreed by you both - your suggestion seems a reasonable compromise, you can always cut a bit more off if needed but you can't cut a bit on, as my dad would say.

Get a neighbour to apply for a TPO? Willow trees are so beautiful and as you say a haven for wildlife.

Yes, there is but he would take umbrage personally if I interfere. It has taken twice my lifetime for those trees to reach maturity and support the wildlife they do and although there are a few branches that need attention they are otherwise in good condition. Why do men have this caveman like desire to try to control their environment instead of appreciating nature for what it is?

Put out a call on Facebook. Get a local campaign going.

Honestly there was some bloke who wanted to cut down a tree here because it was interfering with the floor of his conservatory and he ended up backing down because of the strength of local feeling

Polllarding can be beneficial, but as these trees are 100+ years old I'm not sure if they might be too old.

Honestly you'd be better off asking a professional tree surgeon what the best approach is.

I'd get an arboriculturalist to have a look it. I don't know what the natural life span of a willow is, but it could be getting to the age where it needs work done to prolong its life. Willows are often pollarded, but it may be too late to start with an old tree. A professional wil advise on what is best for both the tree and your/the farm requirements.

How exactly do you know that these trees are more than 100+ years old? You don't mention which variety but salix alba is unusual in lasting as long as 70 years, most of the others won't pass 30. 100 years is virtually unheard of.

100 years is old for a Willow. A neighbouring field has Willows and they've spread to our field, they seem to be springing up all over the place. Plant some replacements in a mutually agreeable place.

That means there's an awful lot of water in the area if so many trees can be sustained for so long.

Does he have the money and inclination to be constantly dealing with flooding once they aren't there to suck up 100 gallons a day each?

He's an idiot they're a natural sponge in Wales we can speak to NRW for advice. We're supposed to be planting more trees.

Op what kind of willow? Most willows Live between 30-50 years and most don’t make it past 30, they are not heritage trees.

What exact type are they? Your husband could be right as they could be close to the end of their life span and pollarding is usually beneficial.

They will have more leaf if they are pollarded. They will look amazing too and be less at risk of wind damage. Pollarding the is exactly the right thing to do to mature Salix.

Can you compromise and suggest that half are done this year, and the other half next year? So allowing time for the trees to recover so there's decent cover for the nesting birds etc.
I can only imagine if like our remaining willow tree which must be 30 years old, it's getting top heavy and bits are rotting. It needs a decent hack back to regenerate. The other one fell down 5 years ago. Rotten through the core.

@Gargellen

They will have more leaf if they are pollarded. They will look amazing too and be less at risk of wind damage. Pollarding the is exactly the right thing to do to mature Salix.

Mature Willow are not suitable at all, they produce multiple but weak new shoot growth, prone to damage, sure if done from a young age on an annual basis.

But the bigger issue is he is not respecting your POV nor will he compromise, you need to put your foot down and tell him NO! you also own these trees.

There were willow trees in my school grounds that were not young trees when I was there 40 years ago. They're still there although the school has gone, and they look beautiful. Never heard of them only living 30 years.

Although I know bugger all about trees generally!

But the bigger issue is he is not respecting your POV nor will he compromise, you need to put your foot down and tell him NO! you also own these trees

I think she needs to be sure of what kind of willow these are exactly to have lived a hundred years, it’s possible but highly, highly unusual.

Op, stop thr arguing, get a tree surgeon in to appraise them,

@Rockbird

There were willow trees in my school grounds that were not young trees when I was there 40 years ago. They're still there although the school has gone, and they look beautiful. Never heard of them only living 30 years.

Then Google it.

Yes get someone in to give neutral advice.

Trees do require maintenance if they've become too big for their space or are a risk if high winds. Pollarding these trees is a very sensible solution to maintain the tree while ensuring it's health and safety.

I'm with your H on this. We had a similarly aged willow of around 60ft which we had maintained and regularly pollarded and it's just suddenly come down onto the neighbour's summerhouse, squashing it flat. They're lovely trees but they don't last as long as others and big pieces can suddenly fall. Now we are going to take the other one down, just in case.

I've just googled lifespan of a willow and got anything from 30-300 years

Lo and behold there's one in the state's that's 5,000 years old! Mmmm....

@Bluntness100

But the bigger issue is he is not respecting your POV nor will he compromise, you need to put your foot down and tell him NO! you also own these trees

I think she needs to be sure of what kind of willow these are exactly to have lived a hundred years, it’s possible but highly, highly unusual.

Op, stop thr arguing, get a tree surgeon in to appraise them,

Not unusual at all, many Willows live over 100 years, its the Weeping Willow that has a very short life span.

Don't get a tree surgeon, their job is to cut down trees, you need a tree consultant, he/she will check the tree for rot etc

The OPs partner needs to get on board with the fact his OH owns the land too.

Hello, take a look at regenerative pasture/ carbon farming. He really should not cut them. Derek Gow on twitter is fascinating on this stuff plus Knepp Castle- all doing amazing stuff. Try to gently discuss alternatives. They are so important.