Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
We have just moved into a new home and the previous owner had one of the trees "topped". He told us it would invigorate the tree and make it less susceptible to falling on the house in a storm. Do you agree with him?
Answer
Absolutely not, the previous owner was completely wrong! There
is nothing more destructive to a tree than "topping" it. Not only
does it look terrible, but once a tree is topped it starts a death spiral
for the tree and it will surely die or fail. All of the wounds on the
tree open up many disease and decay sites that will overwhelm
the tree's natural defenses. Also, the loss of so much of the tree's
canopy and leaf cover deprives the tree of its primary source of
food and it will "starve", the roots will weaken and the tree will be
more susceptible to uprooting or breakage. The tree bark also
needs shade and without the leaves, it will get scalded and damaging
sunburn. Once a tree is topped, fast growing, long and weak
"water sprouts" start growing which is the tree's way of trying to
replace the wood that was cut away when it was topped. The structure
of the tree removed by topping never grows back; it is replaced
by these upward growing water sprouts. (See lower picture)
Not only does this make an ugly looking tree, but it is actually more, not less, susceptible to storm damage
than before it was topped.
Unfortunately this homeowner's only choice is to remove this
tree and replant another one.
Don't let any tree company that offers to top a tree or
advertises that they top trees, anywhere near your property!
A reputable tree company and a CT licensed arborist will
NEVER, EVER top a tree. There are proper ways to prune
trees to reduce susceptibility to storm damage without
harming the tree. Remember, as I wrote about several weeks
ago, in Connecticut it is against the law to hire anyone other
than an arborist licensed by CT State DEEP.
If you have any questions or concerns about proper tree care,
give us a call, we are happy to help.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
