pollard

American  

[pol-erd] / ˈpɒl ərd /

noun

1. a tree cut back nearly to the trunk, so as to produce a dense mass of branches.

2. an animal, as a stag, ox, or sheep, having no horns.

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verb (used with object)

1. to convert into a pollard.

pollard British  

/ ˈpɒləd /

noun

1. an animal, such as a sheep or deer, that has either shed its horns or antlers or has had them removed

2. a tree that has had its top cut off to encourage the formation of a crown of branches

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verb

1. (tr) to convert into a pollard; poll

Other Word Forms

• unpollarded adjective

Etymology

Origin of pollard

First recorded in 1515–25; poll ¹ + -ard

Example Sentences

As with many of Banksy's works, the latest piece caused a debate and range of opinions, including from some conservation campaigners who say the tree was pruned back, or pollarded, too much.

From BBC

It features green paint on a wall behind a cut-back, or pollarded, tree to look like foliage.

From BBC

Willows are coppiced — cut regularly to within an inch or two of the base to flush fresh growth — or pollarded, with cuts made higher up on the trunk or branches.

From Seattle Times

I have always liked the formality of this garden, the gravel paths, the pollarded trees, the geometric patterns.

From New York Times

In my work as an arborist, I often visit wonderful woodlands — ancient forests of bristlecone pines, immense groves of redwoods, endless woods of quaking aspen or pollarded oaks.

From New York Times

Related Words

• prune
• shave
• shear