Why are trees topped?
Some homeowners and unprofessional tree pruners practice topping whenever
trees reach an undesirable height. They mistakenly believe that topping will
reduce the storm hazard of falling branches, when in fact, topping has the
opposite effect. People also top trees when they interfere with utility wires,
buildings, solar collectors, or sunny garden areas.
Selection of trees that only reach desired maximum heights eliminates severe
pruning later. If you must prune a tree heavily every five to seven years, the
tree is too large for the site. Replace it with a smaller species. The National
Arborist Association considers topping an unacceptable practice and advises
against it. Unfortunately, even some legitimate tree service companies
indiscriminately top trees. Before selecting a tree service, find out which
companies advocate topping and avoid patronizing them.
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