That is NOT POLLARDING! I hope no one does that kind of tree trimming thinking they are pollarding. Pollarding is a perfectly acceptable form of tree care that does not damage tree unnecessarily. Topping kills trees. Pollarding limits their size.
Pollarding must be done first when the tree is very young and <i>must</i> be continued <i>every single year ad infinitum</i>. To top a tree, make a cut through a branch away from a branch collar or other union. To pollard a tree, trim the last year's growth back to the branch union, no more and no less.
I was just talking to Dr. Miller about a picture he saw advertising a particular journal and made sure that the students in the SSA office were very clear on the difference. In my opinion, pollarding is cool, and I enjoy doing it. Right now, I've been pollarding a sargent crab (<i>Malus</i> sp.) with great success.
I agree, you would certainly think a large municipality would know better than to take a large tree and turn it into an eyesore.
Nickrosis