Tree Topping – Tree Care or Mutilation? In our area we have a fair amount of tree topping performed each year. Is it good for trees, who does it and why? We will take this in a few steps. First what is tree topping? Second why is it done? Third is it good or bad, and why? Third who does it?
Let’s start with the first, what is tree topping?
By definition tree topping is “the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping may include heading, tipping, hat-racking , stubbing , dehorning and rounding over.” Essentially it is the removal of large portions of the tops of limbs or the trunk (leader) of a tree. It is a drastic removal or cutting back of large branches in a mature tree with little regard for location of pruning cuts. This practice was formerly though to be a good way to reduce the height of a tee considered too large for the site, however we will see later why we now know differently.
Second, why is it done?
Commonly topping is performed to reduce the size of the tree for one reason or another. These usually are because the tree is either too large, or perceived to be too large for the area it is situated. This may be because people feel it poses a hazard, will be safer or is under utility lines, blocks an important view, growing too close to buildings, encroaching on other trees or shading of solar panels are a few reasons. We will cover some of these later in the article, but briefly topping does not reduce the hazard of a tree and in the long run topping will actually make the tree more hazardous. For utility situations, topping is usually not a good answer but we will review later in article what may be done. Another reason for topping may be to obtain a better view of something, but vista pruning practices are always healthier for the tree long term, however they do require a significantly higher skilled arborist to perform correctly. We have found that this practice actually stimulates new, vigorous growth, this new growth used to be considered by some as beneficial. However, professional arborists now realize that tree topping can create a host of problems for trees and those who live around them. Proper tree practices and tree care by an ISA Certified Arborist is beneficial and the preferred practice. Generally early training of the tree, selective branch thinning or in some cases we will see that entire removal is favored over the practice of topping a tree.
Third, is topping of trees harmful?
Yes topping is harmful! In fact it will lead to the death of the majority of trees to which it is performed!
Tree topping is harmful to your trees in many ways, when one removes major portions of the canopy, the delicate balance between foliage and the remainder of the tree is upset. Through the process of photosynthesis, leaves manufacture chemical energy required by the tree for growth and maintenance of branches, trunk, and roots. With large portions of leaf surface area removed, a tree’s energy producing potential is severely reduced. Large reserves of stored energy in many stems and branches also are lost when trees are topped. These imbalances can lead directly to decline and death or can make the trees susceptible to invasion by canker and root rot diseases. Bark suddenly exposed to the sun after topping often is damaged by sunscald, and may become diseased, further weakening the tree. Large branch stubs that result from topping are open invitations to insects and wood-rotting pathogens. In particular, opportunistic pathogens find the living, but virtually defenceless stub an inviting and plentiful source of food. Unable to receive substantial amounts of energy from other parts of the tree, stubs lack the capacity to wall-off or compartmentalize the wound, allowing decay-causing organism’s easy access. Once decay has entered the branch stub, it may progress into the main trunk, eventually killing the tree and creating a hazardous situation for people. Coating large branch stubs with a wound dressing is ineffective in stopping the entry and spread of decay-causing organisms. Topped trees frequently produce vigorous regrowth, called water sprouts, just below the pruning wound. These rapidly growing shoots can have very weak attachment to the remaining stub, making topped trees highly vulnerable to wind and ice damage. Regrowth resulting from topping also is very succulent and is generally more susceptible to attack from insects and certain disease-causing pathogens, particularly those responsible for fire blight. Certain species of beech, maple, and oak fail to produce any vigorous regrowth after topping. Without adequate foliage regrowth, these trees rapidly decline and die. Remember, topping: 1. Stresses trees 2. Causes decay 3. Can lead to sunburn of tree 4. Creates hazards 5. Makes trees ugly 6. Is expensive 7. Reduces property value
And finally who does it? Utility companies frequently practice topping to alleviate tree interference with overhead power and communication lines. Untrained tree workers perform in on regular basis. Sometimes they actually convince a homeowner that this work should be performed. Why? Well because the tree worker is either untrained, or has been trained by an older worker (remember in previous years we actually thought this was beneficial).
Typically done by companies who have not taken time to educate their employees, and do not have ISA Certified Arborists on staff. However, a topped tree often will regrow to its original height faster and with greater density than a tree that has received proper pruning. Because the results often are short-lived, topping actually is a more costly solution to the problem of interfering trees than crown reduction by thinning.
Topping also disfigures the tree and ruins its aesthetic value in the landscape. Topping replaces a tree’s natural beauty and form with unsightly branch stubs, conspicuous pruning wounds, and a witch’s broom form of branch regrowth. Trees planted to provide lifetimes of pleasure and beauty are transformed into landscape liabilities.
So, what else can be done?
Instead of topping, an ISA Certified Arborist can help you find solutions that may be better for your tree and definitely better for you both short and long term. (Will actually in the end save you money GUARANTEED).
Various problems can be avoided if large growing tree species are not planted where they will Interfere with power lines, street lights, or buildings. However, if it is already done then we need to find solutions. If tree is approached properly and early enough in its life, then a regular pruning (reduction pruning) can be safely and properly performed which will make the tree safer, and ensure no encroachment on utility infrastructure occurs. Pruning properly-sited trees then becomes a matter of simply maintaining tree structure, form, health, and appearance. In addition, there are many excellent smaller trees that work well in urban sites or anywhere potential obstructions exist. When the size of a tree’s crown must be reduced (crown reduction), thin out selected branches by removing them back to their point of origin, or prune to a side branch of sufficient size to assume dominance. Severe crown reduction is preferred over topping because it results in a more natural appearance and increases the time before pruning is needed again by reducing growth of weakly attached water sprouts. Severe crown reduction, however, may still results in large pruning wounds that may lead to decay in major branches. It MUST be performed by an ISA Certified Arborist if you are to have any degree of success in this process. Do NOT be misled, you cannot trade low cost for the knowledge you need in this case. In some cases, and an ISA Certified Arborist can help here, the best solution may be to remove the interfering tree and replace it with one that will fit within the given space.
Remember, the proper time to begin training a tree is when it is young. Read our other articles on what is an arborist, and ensure you are not misled by false advertising.