Why Topping Trees is Bad News

Have you ever seen a tree that looks like a coat rack? Like this:

This is called tree topping and it is bad news. Actually, it is perhaps one of the worst things you can do to a tree. However, it still remains a common practice in many places. Other names for topping include “heading”, “tipping”, “hat-racking” and “rounding over”, so take note if you talk to an arborist and they use these terms.

Often times, the topping method is used to quickly and cheaply reduce the size of a tree when property owners feel the tree is becoming too large or too tall for the space, creating a perceived hazard. But ultimately, topping will make a tree more hazardous in the long term. And, really, a topped tree is not exactly a nice looking tree.

Why is topping trees bad? Topping harms trees because:

• The severity of the pruning and the removal of all the leaves causes stress to the trees. A stressed tree is much more vulnerable to disease and insect issues.
• The improper locations of the cuts in a topped tree don’t allow the “wounds” to heal properly and the exposed wood begins to decay rapidly.
• Kind like when you shave your head, you get a sunburn. Trees can get sunburned too when the leaves are improperly removed.
• After topping, a tree tries to survive by quickly growing new shoots, but these new shoots are more prone to breaking, creating a more hazardous situation in the long run.
• Topping makes trees ugly. ‘Nuff said.

Here at Arbor 1 Tree Service, we never top trees and we do find ourselves having to remove trees because they were topped at some point. Give us a call if you need assistance with your trees! 541-480-4223.

Learn more about the perils of tree topping from one of our favorite websites, Trees Are Good.