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Tree Topping

Started by getoverit, January 04, 2006, 11:23:54 AM

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getoverit

In the Mountains of NC and GA, it is a common practice to "top" large hardwood trees by cutting off the top 1/3 of the tree. Looking at it, it appears that the tree has a "flat top haircut" and all of the lower branches and limbs are left there while everything above that particular line is removed. I haven't seen this done anywhere else in the country, and it certainly isnt done down here in Florida.

On some trees, it takes years and years for the tree to recover and to look "normal" again. While it doesn't seem to harm the life of the tree, I cant see where it does any good either.

Can someone tell me why this is done, and what the benefits of it are?
I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok, I work all night and sleep all day

jon12345

Do people do this to street trees there or trees in the woods?

I know its sometimes done to keep trees out of powerlines, but shouldn't really be done because it makes them look horrible imo and probably isnt too healthy for the tree either.
A.A.S. in Forest Technology.....Ironworker

Tom

The one reason I've heard for the practice is the belief that ridding the tree of its prime growth leader causes branching down below which they believe will produce a thicker and wider shade tree for the yard.   

Fruit trees are often pruned from the inside/top to promote an updside down umbrella shape.  It is supposed to let light enter the tree, promote blossoming on inside limbs, which will produce more fruit, and make harvesting easier by keeping the fruit close to the ground.

getoverit

The trees that I have seen done this way are usually in people's yards, and it has nothing to do with power lines. They are varying types of hardwoods, and not fruit trees.

The tree is usually "topped" just above the crotch in the tree, leaving all of the lower branches and limbs in tact.

I can understand doing this to fruit trees because it gives you access to the fruit by keeping it lower to the ground. This type of "topping" doesnt have anything to do with fruit or flowering though. I've always been curious as to why it is done, and why the only place I have seen it is in the appalachians.
I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok, I work all night and sleep all day

beenthere

getoverit
I've seen it done (and have done it) to trees that are 'top heavy' or ones that need more growth in the lower portion of the tree, rather than the upper. Take out the upper to cause new growth in the lower, and remove the growth that catches the wind for less chance to have 'wind throw'. A tall tree around buildings sometimes is just a threat.
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

Tom

It might be flying cows.  

Haven't you noticed how even a herd of cows keeps the bottoms of oaks and other hardwoods?    I'll bet they have flying cows in Appalachia.   I know they have uphill cows, left hill cows and right hill cows.   I've see a lot of cows with their short front legs facing the mountain as they eat. I figure their's some with short left sides and short right sides, cause I've seen them standing on the side of the mountains when they eat too.  Genetic manipulation is amazing and those are some pretty smart folks up there in those hills.

SwampDonkey

I'de rather cut the tree down to be done with it. We had to do-in a bunch of boxelder in 1998. :D ;D

Out west they do topping around parks because of possible breakage from wind. 'Lookout below in the tent!!' ;D
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

JJackson

Topping a tree is bad, do a search on topping and you will be presented with a long list why its bad.  For the most part it promotes rot, decay and poor structure. If you want to "top" your tree consult a certifed arborist, if needed he will recommend a crown reduction wich is different from topping but can reduce the height of the tree.  Topping should be avoided, if you're worried about the trees height, topping will only cause more problems when it grows back with poor structure.  Removal is sometimes the best solution after a proper crown reduction.  Proper selection of trees is important, make sure a maturity that it will fit in the intended area. 
BSc. FOR, Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist

beenthere

JJ
All depends on what a person wants, whether topping is bad. It isn't in all cases.  :)
south central Wisconsin
It may be that my sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others

rebocardo

I have been asked to top trees before (in GA) because the owners did not want a towering tree over their house and wanted to stunt the growth. Or did not want it "top heavy" so it would fall over onto their house. There is a small bit of logic in it since it seems many pines do snap in the middle and then fall over on the house in storms.

If someone wants their trees butchered,  no amount of logic or discussion will prevent them from having it done. So, I just tell them I do not climb trees or trim them, but, if they would rather have me drop the whole tree (for my low low price) then give me a call after they get estimates for topping.

Same as I gave up suggesting not cutting down trees because it serves no purpose. They just hire someone else to do it for more money once they have their minds and wallets made up to have the tree removed.

The only place I can see topping treees is to stunt them before they get over 30-40 feet beyond the reach of a cherry picker in smaller upscale neighborhoods.

Pullinchips

This is usually done by "tree hackers" as i have heard some certified arborists that i went to school with, call them.  This is usually some one with little technical knowledge of how a tree grows and develops.  They either clib it or use a bucket truck to cut the top out.  This practice is done all ove not just in GA moutains, i have seen it all over SC from the moutains to the sea.  As said before it is nothing but bad for the tree.  The only benefit being that the tree is not towering over the house to fall on it.  REMOVAl is a better option.  If home owner is lucky their tree will survive.  This practice highly stresses the tree.  I have seen it done with the leaves on and then the tree struggles to leaf back out and if during a drought the tree may not survive no matter when it is done because of the stress it puts the tree under. 

I personally am not an arborist and am speaking from my knowlege of trees as a forester, but have two friends who are certified arborists, who have told me "that only 30% or less of the foliage should ever be removed at one time."

As said before this only provides future problems.  The added stress can cause the tree to be more suceptible to insect and disease infestation that can kill the tree in the future causing the tree to die and have to bee removed anyway causing more headace and heartace if they like the tree, not to mention the added cost of the not only topping the tree but removing what was left.  The may have well done it the correct way in the first place prune it right or cut the whole thing down like Rebo said.  But maybe this is part or the "tree hacker" plan to hit the customer twice.

This is not always the case like said before the tress will normally survive especially if done in the fall or winter after leaf drop.  But i felt inclined to mention the worse in case someone is considering this practice.

But what is unavoidable is that where the limbs were cut off the branches will sprout back in to many branches.  But the main limb that was cut starts to rot over the years and then the branchs that sprout back and survive now have a "shaky and insecure" hold or anchor to the tree.  As the main branch rots back into the limb the out side where the the new branches are connected is still alive but there is no solid core for this branch to be supported by as it grows and becomes heavier.  This is where the problem is, these branches can fall at any time and chances are increased in wind and ice events and can fall on the house anyway, even though they may look like they are fine and are not "big" enough to be toped again.  But think how heavy a 4" 20ft branch is if falling right can poke a hole right through that plywood roof.

If the tree is in the middle of the yard and has no chance of falling on anything and is not a fruit tree it should never be topped because it is not good for the tree and looks horrible and ruins the form of the tree, and cant fall on the house any way.

When done to fruit trees it encourages new growth and fruit production but they are not 50-80 ft oak trees either.  Diferent set of rules on production fruit trees.

-Nate
Resident Forester
US Army Corps of Engineers: Savannah District

Clemson Forestry Grad 2004
MFR Clemson University 2006
Stihl MS 390

Dale Hatfield

Quote from: beenthere on January 04, 2006, 09:19:06 PM
JJ
All depends on what a person wants, whether topping is bad. It isn't in all cases.  :)
When is it a good thing?
The first step is to educate the customer. Tree topping is a bad form of pruning.
Why are trees topped?
Thats all the uneducated and underpaid have seen .
It usually starts with one and spreads like wild fire. Once tom has it done Joe next door says hay  can ya do mine too. Right of way clearance should  be just that clearance not topping.
Why because its easy. Any Tom Dick and Harry with a chainsaw and a ladder can do it.
I live and work in area that has been topped to death .Old towns full of big ugly topped silver maples. Thanks to a local tree service owner now dead. I thought the trees gave thanks . Till the employees bought  the biz.
I have been told i had no clue what i was doing after i pruned a tree correctly. Without a chainsaw.
Its an old habit the Tree Care field is working hard to overcome.
If you pay a company to prune your tree and they top it instead of a proper pruning . Their is no reason why they couldn't be liable for the damage to the tree and property.
Game Of Logging trainer,  College instructor of logging/Tree Care
Chainsaw Carver

james

iv cut the top ft out of some 6-8 foot tall fir/spruce trees near my house so they will ball for outdoor christmas treees  that and fruit trees is all i would ever do
james

SwampDonkey

They topped a couple of wild spruce last winter under the lines by the house. I can't imagine why they didn't cut it down to the ground and chip it. The chipper was sitten beside the road.  ::) When I get my saw back from the shop, I gotta cut those dang things down.
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

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