When a tree is topped, this basically means the top section of the tree has aggressively been removed. When this is done, it causes permanent harm to the structure and can even kill the tree. Arborists tend to get people asking for this but from people who are unaware of the damage it does. Our team at Five Star Tree Services wants to go over what can happen to topped trees and why you should avoid this.
Parts of a Failed Topped Tree
When a tree gets topped, there tends to be a chain reaction of failings due to it. The following is what happens to different parts of a tree that’s been topped:
-Topping point
-Dead lead
-Failed stem
-Decayed union
-Remaining stems
Let’s go through these in more detail.
Topping Point
This is what it sounds like, the point in which the tree has been topped from the stem or trunk. This point can be affected by strong winds and can lead to it being blown out.
Dead Lead
This can be part of the stem/trunk that was dominant but ended up dying due to the topping. When this happens, the tree will naturally die back to the next available growth node at the main union.
Failed Stem
Trees naturally compete with themselves to grow branches. When a dominant stem is topped, other branches are left to compete for dominance. Similarly sized stems can happen early on in the life of a tree. This can lead to irregular balance distribution of the canopy, further leading to a stem failing due to its lopsided weight.
Decayed Union
The decay union is where most branches/stems meet at the main trunk. When there is decay from topping, it can spread down the trunk and compromise the remaining branches, weakening them until they fail.
Remaining Stems
When dominant stems fail, there can be smaller stems remaining that are alive and will eventually form a new dominant stem. However, over time, the cycle will repeat until the entire tree is dead.
This is precisely why we never recommend topping trees, as it always eventually leads to the failure of the tree and possible damage from the failing branches in the interim. The short gains are not worth the long-term pain of the tree. When a tree is topped, the structure is weakened, leading to poor branch development.
How to Avoid Topping Trees
Early maintenance of trees can help prevent the need for aggressive pruning measures. When you properly prune regularly, this helps to reduce the canopy, keeps stems managed, and creates an evenly balanced, strong canopy coming from a strong dominant stem.
When is Topping Acceptable?
Hazard mitigation is the only acceptable reason to top a tree. But no matter what, topping a tree will require continuous topping to make sure a certain portion of the tree doesn’t go above the decaying union and get too heavy, causing it to fail again. Making this option not cost effective. Any tree that is topped will require more maintenance, as opposed to correctly pruned trees.
You should also know that not all tree species react the same way to being topped. Some do not tolerate it at all from the get-go. If a certain tree is topped, it will die shortly after from the shock. For any tree, being topped causes an enormous amount of stress, which some trees can’t handle. For any tree that does survive the assault, they are left disfigured and prone to fungal infections, pest infestations, sun scalding, and disease.
What is Pollarding
Pollarding is a preferred pruning technique that can be done in place of topping. It is used to control a trees’ size and promote growth. It’s best done in the early stages of a tree’s life and will help it grow properly from a young age, avoiding the need for topping. Using pollarding techniques requires extensive knowledge of the biology of a tree, requiring specific understandings of each tree species. Just like topping, not all trees can handle pollarding. For instance, old mature trees will not tolerate pollarding very well.
Why Tree Topping is Bad
In summation, there are the main points for why topping trees is bad:
-it shocks the tree and makes it more susceptible to diseases and dying
-it creates decay
-it increases maintenance costs
-it creates weak growth that is susceptible to failure
-it might kill your tree
-it ruins the aesthetic
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
We hope that you now understand why topping trees is not recommended and try to avoid it when possible. We are here at Five Star Tree Services to help you maintain your trees properly. If you are interested in our tree pruning services in Toronto, make sure to give us a call at (416) 990-3355 today!
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