What Is Tree Topping And Is It Harmful?

You see them everywhere. Trees that are marred and ill from years of mistreatment. Notably, the mistreatment due to tree topping. Also referred to as beheading and stubbing, it has soared to catastrophe proportions all over the country within the last ten years. 

Topping is the most damaging tree pruning technique. It's deemed such a severe crime that many environmental organizations have made numerous efforts to end this form of disfigurement and brutality. The worst part is that tree topping is still standard practice. 

Tree Topping Creates Stress

When topping a tree, there is the removal of over 100% of the leaf-bearing crown.

Since leaves are the food source for any tree, the lack of this food supply could briefly starve the tree.

The starving tree gets defensive by quickly transporting several shoots from latent buds under every cut. This act is the tree's survival means in producing new leaves immediately. If the tree doesn't possess enough stored energy to respond to a tree topping, it will severely destroy the tree. 

Topping Doesn't Affect the Size

As new shoots sprout to replenish their food-making plant anxiously, they do so swiftly, sending up several water sprouts. In some types, these new shoots could flourish over 15 feet in 12 months. Trees will grow back fast, and they don't stop until they get around their original size. It just takes a couple of years for this to occur.

Topping Doesn't Bring Safety 

The new growth that quickly arises from latent buds just under every cut sits in the parent limb's outer parts. These fragile attachments won't possess the structural reliability of the original limb and could snap off easily.

When performing accurate trimming cuts, healthy trees possess what is necessary to close the opening. Wrong cuts from topping don't mend as swiftly and might not be able to close. The bared wood produces openings for diseases, pests, decay, and bacteria to flow through the limbs. 

Topping is Pricey

After tree topping, the crown swiftly grows back with weak, thin branches. 

Topping to decrease a tree's size is a cruel cycle. Every slice sprouts numerous new limbs, and the conditions get exponentially difficult with every rotation. Ultimately, when the tree perishes due to the effects of the damage and stress, you will probably spend more money to get rid of it.

An Alternative

When it is necessary to alter the expansion or height of a tree, contact a professional arborist. An arborist will decide the type of pruning required to enhance your trees' appearance, Safety, and health. When you prune a tree accurately, you decrease the tree's height, keeping it healthy. 

Experienced, certified tree care professionals don't use tree-harming climbing spikes unless performing tree removal service. Tree experts don't offer tree topping as a service and don't provide it as a solution. Because it never is.

For other options on how to trim the crown of your trees, get in touch with us at Hickory Tree Service. ​

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