[shygirl]

has anyone cut poplar trees and had a successful hedge from the stumps?
our 20ft trees fall down in the wind so im wondering whether to cut them all down to 3ft and let them sprout new branches for a hedge (about 50 seem to sprout) or cut them down to the ground and plant something else.

thanks

[Trixie]

Cut them down to the ground and plant a new hedge.  We had quite a few black poplar that were leaning towards the neighbours sheds, more and more as bad winds came, (he was rubbing his hands saying he would get new sheds soon when they fell) so got the tree surgeon in and had them cut down! A lot higher than 20 foot, We chopped them up and logged them.
Also same neighbour is an excellent hedge layer around here and he said you cannot make a hedge out of a tree they want to go straight up so don't waste your time.
Hope this helps.

[Stereo]

Poplar will coppice or pollard but it's not the best plant for this. I would suspect that however high or low you cut them, some will explode into new growth which would be perfectly suitable for laying into a new hedge. I would look to diversify the species a bit though especially if you want it to be stock proof.

Another thing is to ignore any fool who tells you that poplar is no good for logs. It's light when seasoned but as long as it is split and properly seasoned, it's an excellent firewood.

[VEG]

Black popular are protected

[shygirl]

thanks, mine are just hybrids.
i may replace it with rose hedging, but will miss the privacy if i cut it right down.
or maybe cut it down to 3-4ft and add willow amongst it.

[Stereo]

I don't believe black poplars have any specific protection in UK law although there may be specific areas I suppose although I'm not sure how that could be done legally. Individual trees can be protected by TPO / planning permissions etc. but much like many people think that oak are protected, they are not. I stand to be corrected though if things have changed. I know they are very rare.

If you have a hybrid poplar and get them to coppice, they will be over 6' within a year so privacy won't be a concern.

I wonder if you could pollard them at 3' and establish a beech hedge underneath?

[shygirl]

thats really helpful, i think i will try that and replant underneath. thanks so much.