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Should You Top Your Trees?

2/27/2020

25 Comments

 
Picture of tree topping
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. 
25 Comments
WFTX
3/14/2020 02:35:55 pm

Great stuff and agree with everything here! https://www.treeservicewichitafallstx.com/

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CJ link
6/22/2020 01:05:31 pm

Thank you for posting about this! Tree topping is no good and frankly it looks awful! It is important to know how to properly care for trees.

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TreeService San ose link
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.

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Marina Taylor link
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.

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J Michael link
10/3/2020 02:03:17 pm

Oh, man. I do NOT top trees for customers until I've done my due diligence to tell them all the reasons why they should not. I also just flat out say "it's ugly and you will regret it."

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arbrstauckland@gmail link
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.

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Click here link
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.

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Maria Joe link
12/7/2020 04:23:18 am

I completely agree with the thoughts of the writer that we must always top our trees professionally. This article provided me very essential and useful information that I was needed.

Reply
Peter Hellwege link
12/13/2020 09:17:33 pm

Great info on tree topping. Something that not a lot of people are familiar with.
<a href="https://stlouistreeco.com">Tree Service St. Louis</a>

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Kevin Holden link
2/2/2021 06:43:46 pm

That was nice, Thanks for sharing!
Keep up the good work.
https://khtree.com/

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Larry Weaver link
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.

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Firewood Wellington link
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.

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Juan Acosta link
4/12/2021 09:29:13 am

A great blog. Very informative and well-described.

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Bemidji Tree link
5/20/2021 06:31:18 pm

Very informative, we never recommend tree topping and great job explaining exactly why I don’t.

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Louis Nash link
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.

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Jamestown Tree Trimming link
6/18/2021 04:38:37 pm

Straightforward and informative - a great resource for all looking to maintain their trees. Thanks for sharing!

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Pro Value Landscaping link
7/16/2021 01:44:49 am

Greetings!

Thank you for sharing your blog.
https://provaluelandscaping.com/

Reply
B&T's Tree Service link
7/29/2021 06:06:11 pm

Awesome article. Glad I found it.

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Tree trimming link
8/5/2021 01:04:04 pm

If confused about what to do with the tree, hire a professional company.

Reply
Tree Pruning Near Me link
8/20/2021 10:00:01 am

Thank you for sharing information about topping a tree.

Reply
bayside council tree removal permit link
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.

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www.treeserviceauburnal.com link
2/9/2022 07:16:04 am

I completely agree with you. I really like this article.

Reply
Max Jones link
4/28/2022 04:22:39 pm

Thanks for the info about trees. The trees in my backyard need to be trimmed. I'll look for a tree trimming service that can help me out.

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Braden Bills link
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.

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Mike Anderson link
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.

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