If you look at information from tree services in your area, you will likely notice that they specifically say they will not recommend or perform tree topping. This leads to many questions about what exactly tree topping is and why it is such a harmful practice. Simply put, topping is incredibly unhealthy for trees, doing much more harm than good.

 

What It Is

Topping trees is the practice of cutting off the top of the tree. During this process, the top branches that are left on the tree are reduced to steps. This leads to unstable limbs as well as an appearance that is unnatural and bare. Topping can increase the risk of breaking as well.

 

Why People Want To Top Trees

In most cases when someone wants to top trees, they will have one of several reasons for this idea. It is very common for a homeowner without any tree knowledge to want to top trees as a way to stop them from interfering with electrical wires. People also see it as a way of trimming back trees that are too close to other tall items or just too tall. Sometimes, people think that topping a tree will reduce the risk of it falling down in heavy winds. In that last situation, the opposite is actually frequently true.

 

Tree Topping Causes Structural Failure

As mentioned, it is likely that tree topping will increase the risk of a given tree falling down due to structural failure. This is because when you suddenly remove all the foliage from the top of the tree, it no longer is able to get enough nutrients via photosynthesis. With fewer leaves, there are less nutrients, which causes weakness. Additionally, tree topping reduces the amount of water that trees can release via their leaves, preventing the limbs from staying at a stable weight.

 

Topped Trees Are Prone To Disease

In most cases, those who top trees do not make proper cuts since they will cut everything without paying attention to details. When the cuts are not made properly, the tree cannot heal naturally via compartmentalization, which is when a tree creates protective layers over wounded areas or decaying wood, like after pruning. Without the natural healing, the tree is at risk of decay or disease, in a similar way to how an open wound increases the chance of infection in humans.

 

Topping Increases Maintenance Costs

At first, you would think that topping would reduce maintenance costs for a tree since there is less tree to maintain. In reality, however, it encourages the growth of the water spout by about three times the normal rate. This requires more frequent pruning, taking up valuable time and/or costing you money to hire a professional.

 

What You Should Do Instead

If you really think that topping the tree is the best choice, then take a moment to consider professional pruning by an arborist. When done correctly, you can trim or prune back the trees limbs, reducing its height while maintaining its health. Arborists can tell which branches are safe to trim to ensure the most effective pruning so the idea of topping the tree does not even cross your mind.