Registration Now Open: Biodiversity of Pollarded Trees – an international conference
Join us for a two-day event on the biodiversity of pollarded trees
Pollarded trees are a cornerstone of biodiversity, supporting a wide range of wildlife and playing a crucial role in our landscapes.
When: 
25-26 June 2025
Where: 
Taplow Court & Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire
What’s in it for you?
Hear from leading experts from across Europe on the latest research into pollard biodiversity, management, and conservation. Speakers include specialists from the UK, Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
Explore how pollards support diverse wildlife – from bats and beetles to fungi and woodpeckers – and their role in carbon sequestration and landscape restoration. Take part in practical field sessions, learning hands-on about veteran tree care, halo clearance, and the creation of new pollards.
Gain cutting-edge insights into managing pollards for long-term sustainability, with case studies from across Europe.
Network with fellow professionals in arboriculture, conservation, forestry, and land management, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of pollarded trees.
The City of London Corporation managed over 11,000 acres of open space across London and southeast England, including Burnham Beeches, one of the UK’s most significant ancient woodlands.
This conference is part of our ongoing commitment to protecting biodiversity and ensuring that our natural heritage is safeguarded for future generations.
Hosted in collaboration with Burnham Beeches City of London, Arboricultural Association, SGI-UK and British and Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in Finland – B3CF.
Ticket price is for both days and includes lunch, refreshments and an informal evening meal at the end of Day One.
Details:
Over 30 years on from the seminal meeting at Burnham Beeches about the management of pollard and veteran trees the City of London Corporation is revisiting the subject through hosting a conference. Organised in collaboration with the Ancient Tree Forum and the Arboricultural Association this two day meeting will focus on the biodiversity of pollarded trees. There will be a day of talks with a range of speakers followed by a full day at Burnham Beeches looking at work carried out there in the company of staff. The proceedings will be published by the Arboricultural Association.
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Wednesday 25 June at Taplow Court, Buckinghamshire
09.00 to 17.00 and informal evening meal – served outside
On this indoor day we will hear from a range of speakers from across Europe including Pavel Sebeck talking about the invertebrate biodiversity associated with hollow willow trees from the Czech Republic. Helen Read will provide an introduction to the history and importance of pollards. Migel Mari Elosegui will describe work being carried out in Basque Country to maintain the populations of pollards and Oskar Schwendtner will outline his work on woodpeckers and pollards in northern Spain. More familiar names include Jim Mullholland (BATS Research and Training – bats and pollards), Vikki Bengtsson (Pro Natura – veteranisation), Emma Gilmartin (Arboricultural Association – wood decay in pollards) and Alice Broome (Forest Research – using TREMS to assess microhabitats in trees). Nigel Pilling from Natural England will discuss the future for our wood pastures with pollards. Heinz Traut and Mat Disney will explore the opportunities pollards provide for carbon sequestration. Session chairpersons will include Jill Butler and Richard Powell (Chair ATF), Luke Barley (National Trust) will sum up the day for us.
There will be ample space for posters so delegates are invited to bring these along. Please indicate on the booking form if you would like to submit a poster and we will forward the guidelines.
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Thursday 26 June at Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire
09.30-16.30
This day will be spent outside in small groups discussing some of the practical management of the pollards at Burnham Beeches including pruning old beech pollards, recent propping techniques, halo clearance, methods to reduce trampling pressure by visitors around the trees and how to create and cut new pollards to create a new generation of pollarded trees. The biodiversity theme will continue to run through this day which will also include consideration of fungi associated with pollards with David Humphries (City of London, Hampstead Heath) and managing populations of pollards to maintain biodiversity in a wider landscape with Ola Bengtsson (Pro Natura, Sweden).
Refreshments and lunches on both days, along with an informal supper on Wednesday, June 25th at Taplow Court, are all included in the conference fee.
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Dates
25 & 26 June 2025
Timings
Day 1 – 09.00 to 17.00 and informal evening meal
Day 2 – 09.30-16.30
Location
Taplow Court & Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire
Booking
Please complete the booking form below to secure your place. The full programme and conference pack will be sent out nearer the time.
Ticket pricing
£250 per delegate.
Further questions
Please contact admin@ancienttreeforum.org.uk if you have any questions.
