Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. Yet, after many years of research, literature, and seminars, topping is still common. I cannot explain why topping is still done, but the reasons behind its harmful effects are evident.
Topping is defined as the cutting of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Basically, this refers to any cutting that will remove the top and/or sides of a tree or "shapes" the tree in any way. Common reasons behind topping are to reduce the size of a tree or to make it look a certain way. Home owners often feel that their trees have become too large and have become a hazard. However, topping is not a viable method for reducing size and, in fact, will make the tree more hazardous.
Topping puts severe stress on the tree and will put the tree into a survival mode. This survival mode causes the tree to grow multiple shoots from the site of the cut. At first, this may look like it is helping the tree by having so many new branches. However, these branches are a response to the loss of a previous branch and may cause the tree to drain its resources possibly die. Furthermore, the small branches that arise do not have strong attachments and will be prone to breakage when they grow larger, more so than the branch that was removed. Topping can also lead to decay, sunscald, and other fungal or bacterial diseases which will reduce the strength and longevity of the tree.
Most of all, topping is expensive. The cost of topping is not limited to the first time. If the tree survives, it will have to be pruned again the next year and years afterwards to maintain the bushy appearance. If it does not survive, it will have to be removed. This will all cost extra money and time; more than just paying the perpetrator. Furthermore, property values will be reduced. Healthy, well-maintained trees can increase property values by 10-20 percent. Disfigured, topped trees can be considered an impending cost. Further hidden costs can be a potential liability of topped trees. Topping is considered an unacceptable pruning practice; any property damage that is caused by branch failure of a topped tree can lead to findings of negligence in a court of law. More on this topic next month!
By Sam Kezar, Certified Arborist
Sam Kezar, M.S. in Arboriculture, Member of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and Minnesota Society of Arboriculture and ISA Certified Arborist, MW 4503AT.
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