Topping is the drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in mature trees. All too often, we see clients that have their trees topped, when they reach heights they consider to be unsafe. These fears are largely unjustified and have long term damaging effects to the trees and to the surrounding community. Many cities and public agencies have now implemented standards to prevent this type of pruning.

EIGHT REASONS WHY TREES SHOULD NOT BE TOPPED:

Starvation – Trees need leaves to manufacture starches during photosynthesis. A trees transport system move starches from the leaves to the roots. Topping removes the leafy crown that provides the root system with necessary nutrients.

Sun Scald – Sudden removal of the leafy protective layer exposes the bark to sun scald.

Insects and diseases – Large wounds prevent the natural defense system from functioning. The open wounds invite insect invasions and the spread of decay forming fungi.

Weak limbs – New fast growing sprouts emerge from topping cuts which have a tendency to fail due to weak attachment to the parent branch.

Rapid new growth – People believe they should top trees to control height and spread of tree. Actually, the opposite happens. Trees respond rapidly to injury by producing fast growing, long sprouts quickly resulting in the tree regaining or exceeding the height it once had.

Tree death – Some species of trees do not tolerate topping. The resulting lack of folage severely reduces the trees ability to capture sunlight and turn it into glucose, which in some cases leads to the death of the tree.

Ugliness – Topping disfigures the trees natural beauty and grace, which can never be regained.

Cost – The cost can be measured in many ways such as reduced property value, loss of other trees and shrubs that succumb to the environmental changes, risk of liability from branch failure, and increased future pruning costs.