broom
v.— «The number of wolves in the refuge is increasing, and biologists are beginning to see browse that is “broomed,” a term used to describe willows that have been topped and are mushrooming, Aderman said.» —“Number of twins gives biologists best clue as to how moose in Alaska are doing” by Tim Mowry News-Miner (Fairbanks, Alaska) June 12, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Mary Beth in Greenville, South Carolina, wonders: Why do we say four-oh-nine for the number 409 instead of four-zero-nine or four-aught-nine? What are the rules for saying either zero or oh or aught or ought to indicate that arithmetical symbol...
Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...
This is odd, because the word “pollarded” exists to describe willows that have been topped, thus producing a lot of new, thin, straight shoots, known as osiers or withies. Osiers are mostly used for basket making. A traditional broom, or besom, is usually made of birch twigs, not willow, though osier is often used to bind the twigs to the handle. Maybe the author misremembered something.