When trees and humans share spaces, humans must work hard to keep trees from growing out of control and into our spaces. They’re hazardous, costly plants once the limbs reach your roof or electrical wires. Many people turn to tree topping to keep them under control.
But what is tree topping? This method doesn’t do you or your trees any favors. If you need severe tree trimming, turn to Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care, New London’s licensed tree trimming service professionals. We’ll help you find a way to trim your trees safely and efficiently.
Tree Topping Is the Tree Pruning Method To Avoid
What is tree topping? It’s a type of canopy cutting that lops off the entire top portion of the tree. Well-meaning homeowners do this to keep trees short and away from powerlines. However, this practice doesn’t do as much good as you might think.
Topping trees may lead to the very property damage and costly repairs you tried to avoid since it damages the tree’s overall health. If you care about curb appeal, it does a lot of damage to that, too.
Tree Topping Consequences
The effects of topping have the potential to be detrimental and might make you regret trying it. You start topping to achieve tree crown reduction, but you end up with a weakened tree susceptible to diseases and losing limbs in the next large storm instead.
No Tree Height Reduction
The shortening effects of tree topping are short-lived. The tree will be short for a time, but the new growth will reach the tree’s former height. You’ll have the same problem as before, but this time, with several weak branches.
Pest and Disease Risk
Tree topping creates several open wounds on a tree all at once. The tree might be unable to heal every wound, leaving it vulnerable to pests, diseases, and decay after it rains. Using other pruning methods that only cause a few wounds gives it a better survival rate.
Not Enough Leaves
Lopping off a majority of the crown all at once leaves the tree with very few leaves to photosynthesize with, reducing its ability to create energy to grow. The tree may die if it can’t grow new leaves.
Weak New Growth
If trees could have the same feelings as humans, tree topping would make them panic. Trees respond by producing lots of new growth at once, but the limbs are weak and likely to break off in a storm.
Call Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care Instead of Topping Trees
Now that you know the answer to, “What is tree topping?” you probably have questions about alternative pruning methods. The best thing you can do is speak to our certified arborist at Lamb’s Tree & Plant Health Care. We’ll inspect your trees and find a pruning solution that will spare your property from damage while keeping the tree’s health intact.
Contact us on our site or give us a call at (860) 266-0494 to receive a free estimate. Stable Trader
