what does it mean to top a tree

Tree topping is a course of "pruning" that's still unremarkably used in the Piedmont Triad area (and many other parts of the country, too). We're oftentimes asked to summit trees, usually past people who've seen their neighbor'south trees cut this mode and assume it's a normal tree care practice. But information technology's not. In fact, topping a tree is the second most common crusade of tree decline and decease (the first is planting a tree too securely in the ground).

To help you sympathise why nosotros don't perform this damaging assault on copse, nosotros share the common myths about tree topping (things consumers are often told past untrained tree workers) and explain the existent facts.

Keep reading for some tree topping myth-busting!

What is tree topping?

In general terms, tree topping is removing the tops of trees. It tin besides be called rounding-over, heading, stubbing, tipping, lopping, and dehorning.

Tree topping is a drastic pruning method that promises a lot of things but delivers quite the opposite. In the most farthermost circumstances (which we've also noticed still happens quite frequently), trees are topped down to aught more than stubs.

Why do people top their trees?

Despite all of the manufactures, literature, and notices out there about the disastrous furnishings of tree topping, you can still encounter information technology done widely. Tree topping is commonly done in public spaces past city employees who have not been trained on proper pruning techniques, as well as on private property by "guys with a chainsaw" who are more interested in making a auction than ensuring your trees continue to be healthy and safety.

Myths About Tree Topping

Tree topping results in big pruning cuts that don't heal easily, if at all. This lets in moisture (the pigsty in the tree shown to a higher place is full of water from rain a few weeks ago and is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes), fungi, insects, and pathogens that destroy the tree. As the tree dies, it becomes unsafe and unsightly.

Myth #1

Tree topping will keep your tree shorter then that it won't run across ability lines, buildings, cake your view, etc.

The Real Facts

Tree topping is the worst matter you can exercise in an try to keep a tree pocket-sized. When you acme a tree, new small branches, called h2o sprouts, will shoot up non long afterward. These h2o sprouts grow back iv to 10 times faster than normal branches and shoot straight upwardly. When yous endeavor to prune these h2o sprouts by cut them off, they multiply each time.

This means that if you pinnacle a tree, you lot have to constantly clip it again and once more. This is one of the reasons that tree topping is a pop sales technique, as you'll accept to continue hiring the same people over and over to continue the tree at a reasonable size.

In contrast, proper pruning techniques directly the branches away from wires or other unsafe areas so they don't need to be pruned so aggressively. Professional pruning as well maintains the tree's construction, helping it to exist stronger and safer in storms.

Myth #two

You tin prune your trees at a steal! Tree topping is the most inexpensive option, so yous'll be saving a ton of money.

The Real Facts

Topping your trees will price you more money (and frustration). Here's why:

• As we mentioned earlier, topped trees need to exist pruned constantly to keep upwardly with the h2o sprout growth.
• The stressed copse are more than prone to pests and pest treatments tin can be costly.
• The decline of the tree will likely lead to its premature expiry, and tree removal and replacement are costly.
• Planning to put your house on the market in the next few years? Topped copse reduce home values and lessen curb appeal, especially ones that are conspicuously dying.
• In some instances, people take been fined for topping their trees, usually in areas where tree topping is illegal, such as Vancouver and San Francisco.

Myth #iii

Topping gets rid of backlog foliage, so the tree has more free energy to focus on other parts of the tree.

The Existent Facts

Leaves are how a tree gets nutrients and are needed to produce free energy. The leaves gather water and sunlight and convert it into food for the tree. If a tree loses most or all of its leaves, it has to use stored energy, making it more vulnerable to pests and diseases. The quick spurt of growth following tree topping may seem like wellness is returning, merely this can be deceptive. More than on that below.

This tree, in Summerfield, NC, was topped virtually 15 years ago, causing the main body and larger branches to rot from the inside-out. Somewhen, the tree died and had to be removed.

Myth #four

New growth will appear almost immediately, rejuvenating the tree, improving its appearance, and making it stronger.

The Real Facts

The regrowth after topping is faster, simply these are emergency growths (water sprouts) that the tree sends up in desperation. The tree is under extreme stress and the h2o sprouts are weak, grow directly upwardly, are ugly, and are not well-attached to the branch, significant that they'll probably break off equally they grow.

The cutting branches will oftentimes rot where the water sprouts appear (because of the non-selective pruning cut), so it's highly likely that yous'll have branches falling all the time for seemingly no reason. That'southward dangerous, expensive, and unattractive.

Myth #five

Everyone else on your block is topping their copse. Y'all should too.

The Real Facts

We really, actually hope that's not the instance, but if it is, your neighbors will soon accept dead, dying, or diseased copse that look awful, concenter destructive insects and diseases, and constantly demand to be pruned to go along them "in bounds" and remove unsafe, rotting branches. We're guessing that's not what you want for your ain copse!

Do This Instead

Using a trained tree care professional is one of the all-time investments you tin brand. These individuals are properly trained in pruning techniques that can save your tree, preclude storm damage, keep the branches away from power lines, maintain the structure, and continue it potent and healthy. There are also proper pruning methods to thin a tree to reduce shade or to reduce its top without ruining the structure and health of the tree.

Don't Top Your Trees

To quote an article from the North Carolina State Academy Cooperative Extension:

"Topping is a bad thing in Charlotte and a bad thing in Lincolnton. It's a bad thing in Denver, and from Vale to New Zealand. In other words… it'south just bad. The International Society of Arboriculture, the UsD.A. Forest Service, NC Land University, Clemson, Virginia Tech, University of Minnesota, Penn Land University, Purdue, University of Illinois, Washington State Academy, Montana State University, University of Arizona, my uncle's youngest nephew, and all agricultural schools I have checked, are very clear in stating that tree 'topping' is highly unprofessional and damaging. Yet somehow, people are still paying good money to accept this 'service' performed."

Tree topping is still in practise because people are not properly informed, and then please feel complimentary to share this data. Trees accept so many benefits, and the wellness of trees in a neighborhood, boondocks, city, or country affects everyone nearby.

Call Usa For Proper Pruning

Please contact the states if yous have any questions near pruning or if you want to schedule a consultation to learn more nigh your professional person pruning options. We're happy to assist y'all keep your copse healthy, well maintained, and cute.

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Source: https://www.beavertree.com/tree-topping/