Written by Admin and published on https://blog.davey.com/
Considering tree topping as an alternative to traditional tree pruning? Please don’t. Tree topping risks are much greater than the reward. In fact, it’s one of the worst things you can do to your trees and causes a lot of problems.
Tree topping is the act of removing a huge portion of the top of a tree leaving only branch stumps behind. Some homeowners opt for tree topping if they feel their tree has grown too large for their property. But it can cause major health issues for your tree and create a huge safety hazard near your home.
Table of Contents
WHAT IS TREE TOPPING AND WHY TOPPING IS HARMFUL TO TREES
When a tree gets a bit too tall for your liking, your instinct may be to give it a quick and easy chop. Even though it’s not your intent to put the tree in danger, you could be doing so without realizing.
Let’s break down what tree topping means, why people do it, and why you should not top trees.
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T TOP A TREE – AND THE BETTER ALTERNATIVE
WHAT DOES TOPPING A TREE MEAN?
Tree topping is exactly what it sounds like. It’s when you cut the top of a tree off, which reduces the tree’s remaining top branches to stumps. As a result, your tree is left with weak, unstable limbs and a bare, unnatural appearance. Also, your tree is much more prone to breaking and may be a risk hazard.
WHY DO PEOPLE TOP TREES?
Here are the biggest reasons people choose to top trees. They want to:
- Fix trees that interfere with electrical wires.
- Shorten trees that grow too tall near their home.
- Prevent the tall tree from coming down in a storm.
These are all good reasons to take action and care for your tree, but tree topping is not the way to do it.
HOW IS TOPPING HARMFUL TO TREES?
Tree topping hurts trees in four, major ways.
- You remove lots of leaves, which strips away the tree’s food source.
- The remaining shortened limbs provide easy access to decay, insects and disease.
- The tree is forced to quickly grow new limbs that are often too weak to handle storms.
- New branches eventually grow to the original height of the tree, restarting the unsafe cycle.
In the long-run, topping a tree can prove to be a costly mistake. The tree will either need extra care to stay alive or will eventually need to be removed.
IS THERE A GOOD WAY TO TOP TREES? WHAT’S AN ALTERNATIVE TO TOPPING?
Yes, great question! When you prune a tree correctly, you reduce the tree’s height and keep it healthy! Ask your local arborist what branches you can trim to safely shorten your tree.
And when planting a new tree, look up! Be sure you’re not planting under a tall structure that the tree could grow into when it reaches its mature height. If you are, find a new spot.
Original post here https://blog.davey.com/2016/10/what-is-tree-topping-and-why-topping-is-harmful-to-trees/.
