 Can you top my trees?
We get this request far too often. The answer is, "No. You should almost never top a tree." Let's start off with what tree topping actually is. Tree topping is cutting the main branches down until there is almost nothing left of the branch. Some companies even do this to trees clean across like a hedge. Even worse are the instances when the tree is cut down to the trunk only. Except for rare exceptions, if you spot a tree company topping trees, write them off as dangerous and avoid using them. Even when speaking with a certified arborist, property owners still push back with the "usefulness" of tree topping. We will clear up some of the more common misinformation here. Tree Topping Does Not Reinvigorate The Tree This belief is rooted in seeing new growth soon after a tree topped. What happened was the tree's food production just got slashed, literally. The tree pushes out new growth in a dire effort to restore food production. The new growth is poorly structured and out of balance with the rest of the tree. The new growth is the most likely area to be afflicted by problematic insects or worse. This new growth will have to be shaped more often to keep the tree with any semblance of its natural shape. Topping A Tree Is A Terrible Choice For Reduce Its Shade Trees make shade. That's something you have to live with. Don't plant things that need full sun under a tree. If you need to open up a tree's canopy, selective pruning is the correct method. This should be undertaken by an arborist. They can make the proper cuts to ensure sound structure for your tree. Topping Trees Regularly Creates A Hazard Regularly topping your trees each season makes them structurally weak. Weak trees are more likely to drop branches or fall. Keep your area safe by not topping trees. It Is Not The Correct Practice Because A Family Member Always Did It That Way We get this push back the most often. Just because your grandpa used to do it, doesn't mean it was correct. Sorry grandpa, but its true. Their trees would have been healthier and better looking if they would have used different methods. Seek Out A Professional Tree Company Professional tree companies are operated by certified arborists. Always verify the company you are dealing with operates under an arborist number. Arborists study trees and work with them everyday. Feel free to voice your concerns, but please take the time to listen to their professional tree advise. Any good tree company will tell you "no" if you ask them to do something that would not be beneficial to your trees.
39 Comments
WFTX
3/14/2020 02:35:55 pm
Great stuff and agree with everything here! https://www.treeservicewichitafallstx.com/ 7/5/2020 04:43:20 pm
GREAT information. I see topped trees all the time - I often assume it's the homeowner who did it but I suppose unprofessional/incompetent tree service companies can do that as well for the money. Perhaps homeowners should evaluate whether or not <a href="https://www.treeservicesj.com/tree-removal.html">tree removal</a> is the better option. This is a valuable post I'll be sharing with customers when they ask. 10/2/2020 05:44:30 am
I will say that this article has the sufficient information to provide us lots of ideas regarding the best tree service. I have gone through the article and got essential information that i was looking for. Thanks for sharing this article with us. 10/11/2020 11:58:42 pm
Tree topping is basically cutting off the branches so that it can be taken down easily later. And if you top a tree, the tree will become good as nothing, you just removed its function to give shade to its surroundings. Tree trimming is the solution not topping. 10/15/2020 11:29:36 pm
Oh wow didn't know this about tree topping. I personally do not recommend tree toping to any of my clients because it simply doesn't look that good. 12/13/2020 09:17:33 pm
Great info on tree topping. Something that not a lot of people are familiar with. 2/2/2021 06:43:46 pm
That was nice, Thanks for sharing! 3/29/2021 02:20:16 pm
Thanks for the info about maintaining trees. I need to trim some of my trees. I'll look for a tree service that can help me out. 3/30/2021 09:39:48 am
Thanks to the author for sharing such a great post. The article was very well written and providing great info about should you top your trees!! It can be really great for people like me who are looking to get such kind of more knowledge about it. 5/20/2021 06:31:18 pm
Very informative, we never recommend tree topping and great job explaining exactly why I don’t. 6/1/2021 12:52:36 am
I've been planning to have my trees pruned because I learned that their dead branches may affect the others. It's also great to learn that through this, there will be an increase in sunlight because it will eliminate overcrowded branches. 6/18/2021 04:38:37 pm
Straightforward and informative - a great resource for all looking to maintain their trees. Thanks for sharing! 7/16/2021 01:44:49 am
Greetings! 8/5/2021 01:04:04 pm
If confused about what to do with the tree, hire a professional company. 8/20/2021 10:00:01 am
Thank you for sharing information about topping a tree. 12/14/2021 01:34:57 pm
The abrupt loss of so much foliage places a strain on the tree's ability to deliver enough nourishment for its roots, branches, and trunk. Topping drastically reduces the number of leaves on the tree, decreasing the quantity of energy and water the Topped Treetree can produce and discharge. Both are critical to the health of the trees. Elm (Ulmus) trees, for example, can absorb up to 250-300 gallons of water per day. If you topped an Elm tree, you'd just increase the risk of branch failure because the tree wouldn't be able to release enough water to maintain the limbs balanced. 2/9/2022 07:16:04 am
I completely agree with you. I really like this article. 5/18/2022 09:53:49 am
I want to make sure that I reduce the shade that my trees provide. It makes sense that topping the trees would be a bad idea. It would be way better for me to get a professional to handle doing some simple pruning to ensure that the tree stays healthy. 6/24/2022 12:10:17 am
I absolutely agree! I've met a couple of people who think of tree topping as some kind of work of art as well. Careful pruning is not just an art. It's also a science! Thanks for sharing this information. 3/18/2023 07:22:24 am
The question of whether one should top their trees has been the subject of much debate in forestry circles. Topping is an invasive practice which involves removing the uppermost branches from a tree in order to reduce its overall height and spread. This improper top pruning can cause severe long-term damage to the tree's structure and health, increased decay potential and susceptibility to windthrow. Keep sharing such important content with your readers. Thanks for raising your voice through your article about this practice. 5/10/2023 12:40:21 am
Thank you for shedding light on the dangers of tree topping. It's important that property owners understand the harm that can be caused to trees when they're not properly pruned. Selective pruning, undertaken by a certified arborist, is the correct method to reduce a tree's shade and ensure sound structure. It's crucial to seek out a professional tree company with certified arborists who can provide expert advice and care for your trees. 1/10/2024 06:38:55 am
This is an interesting insight into the industry terminology of trimming and pruning. The emphasis on specific actions, such as sealing wounds and shaping shrubs, adds practical value to the understanding of these tree maintenance practices in South Austin. 1/16/2024 07:20:33 am
Appreciate the emphasis on seeking professional tree care and the insight into why tree topping is not a suitable practice. This will surely help in making informed decisions about tree maintenance. 1/22/2024 04:21:01 am
Very informative! The emphasis on seeking professional tree companies operated by certified arborists and the reminder to listen to their expert advice contributes to promoting proper tree care practices and ensuring the well-being of trees. 1/30/2024 01:43:44 am
Thanks for sharing this valuable insight! Dispelling common misconceptions about tree topping and emphasizing the importance of professional arborists reinforces the need for proper tree care practices. 2/4/2024 09:34:28 pm
Thanks for shedding light on the hazards of regularly topping trees and the misconception that it reduces shade. Encouraging the involvement of professional tree companies and certified arborists is a valuable takeaway for maintaining tree health. 5/2/2024 12:48:47 am
Listening to professional tree advice from certified arborists ensures the health and longevity of your trees. Avoiding topping practices maintains their natural beauty and structural strength. 5/29/2024 11:21:06 pm
Thanks for the clear explanation! Knowing that tree topping weakens trees and can create hazards highlights the importance of seeking professional arborist services for proper tree care. 7/14/2024 09:15:15 pm
Thanks for the informative post! Understanding the dangers of tree topping and the benefits of proper pruning by certified arborists is crucial for maintaining healthy trees. 9/16/2024 11:47:54 pm
Thanks for sharing such valuable information about tree care! It's important to rely on professional arborists for the well-being of our trees. 10/21/2024 05:48:11 pm
Appreciate you letting the community know more about tree topping and when the appropriate time is to take this route. Thanks! 10/21/2024 05:49:10 pm
Love it! Also, make sure to include proper PPE. Even if someone does this DIY, it can be very dangerous. 11/6/2024 12:37:07 pm
This is a great topic of discussion to bring up especially around winter when trees tend to be more dormant. Thank you for this information! Leave a Reply. |
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