Pollarding

Pollarding is an ancient skill used to ensure the provision of wood for fuel, bean poles and hurdles.(in particular Willow for the latter). 

One of the roads I use on my daily walkabout has had all its trees carefully pollarded a few years ago and the results are striking. Enormous new growth. Sad thing is that when its done again in 6 or 7 years time the whole lot will go into a grinder and reduced to little more than mulch.