TOPPING HURTS TREES!
Topping is the indiscriminate cutting back of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches not large enough to assume the terminal role. The most common reason given for topping is to reduce the size of the tree. Often homeowners feel their trees have become too large for their property. People fear that tall trees may pose a hazard.
Topping however, is not a viable method of height reduction, and certainly does not reduce the hazard. In fact, topping will make the tree more hazardous in the long term and will probably even destroy it.
There are times when a tree must be reduced in height and spread.
There are recommended techniques for doing this. If a branch must be shortened, it should be cut back to a lateral that is large enough to assume the terminal role. Your certified arborist at Menchhofer Tree Care is very knowledgeable in this area.
Topping is also very expensive. If the tree even survives, it will require pruning again within a few years. It will either need to be reduced again, or storm damage will need to be repaired. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. There are also hidden costs to tree topping. One is reduction of property value. Healthy, well maintained trees add about 20% to the value of the property. Disfigured topped trees are considered an impending expense. Topped trees are prone to breakage and can be hazardous. Since topping is considered to be an unacceptable practice, any damage caused by branch failure of a topped tree may lead to a finding of negligence in a court of law.
Topping trees is perhaps the most harmful pruning practice known. Despite more than 25 years of literature and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice. Menchhofer Tree Care does not promote topping or heading of any trees.
Topping, hat racking, heading, rounding, and de-horning all refer to the same damaging practice. Several to many branches grow quickly from the end of a topped branch. There is not enough room left on the branch to allow for secure attachment to the tree, and they are held on the cut branch only by a thin layer of new wood generated after the mutilation. As a result, new branches are tapered poorly, which means they are about the same diameter at the base of the branch as they are about halfway up the entire length. This makes them weak.
Topped trees often have structural defects other than those created by the topping, which remain within the framework of the trunk and main branches. Unfortunately these defects are often ignored when the tree is topped. Please keep in mind that it may not be possible to restore a topped tree completely to the structure it had before the topping. Canopy restoration attempts to improve structure than restore it. Many homeowners have their trees topped by so-called professionals when they fear their trees have reached heights that they consider unsafe. They fear a strong wind might blow over these large trees. This fear is largely unjustified. The root system of a healthy tree, if left undisturbed, provides adequate support for the tree.
Some homeowners believe that the stimulation of the new growth associated with the topping is actually beneficial to the tree. This new growth only hides the real damage topping does to the tree. Actually the new growth from a topped tree indicates the tree is under immense stress and it is creating new leaves as quickly as possible so it will not STARVE TO DEATH. Trees need their leaves to help make sugars and carbohydrates for their growth and survival.
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Hatracking hurts trees!
Hatracking is a form of tree abuse. It is the destructive act of improperly
trimming a tree. It can result in irreparable damage to the structure and
physiological systems of the tree. A stressed tree is more vulnerable to insect
disease infestations.
Tree topping is the random cutting of tree branches
to stubs or laterals that are too small to maintain the trees normal growth
pattern. Do not be fooled by tree topping under the guise of a different name
which include “heading”, “hat-racking”, “tipping”, and “rounding over”.
Dehorning = pollarding