Got Trees? A Case Against Topping Practices
Posted on: 25 March 2015
Topping is arguably the most destructive tree pruning method known. Despite an extensive list of its damaging effects to trees, topping is still a common practice. This article sheds more light on the negative effects of topping as a pruning method and suggests a number of better options.
What Does Topping Mean?
It refers to the practice of chopping off the whole top section of a tree or large trunks or branches from the tops of a tree. This usually leaves lateral branches or stubs that are very small to take up the task of a terminal leader. Topping practice is referred to by several other names including tipping, heading, rounding over and hat racking.
The main reason behind topping is to reduce tree size especially when trees become very large. However, topping isn't a viable technique of height reduction, and undoubtedly doesn't lessen the danger. In contrast, topping makes a tree more dangerous in due course.
Harmful Effects of Topping
A Stressed Tree
Topping gets rid of a large percentage of the leaf-bearing tree crown. Given that leaves are where a tree produces its food reserves, the lack of leaves may cause the tree to starve. The extent of the pruning activates a kind of survival strategy whereby the tree triggers latent buds, compelling the quick development of several shoots underneath each cut. This is because the tree has to put out a new set of leaves immediately.
A stressed tree is also increasingly prone to insect and sickness infestations. The large, open wounds typical of a pruned tree expose the tree to invasion.
Sunburn
Normally tree leaves function to absorb sunlight. Elimination of the leaves exposes the existing branches and trunk to extreme levels of heat and sunlight. Because of the extreme exposure, the tissues underneath the bark suffer from sunburn, which often leafs to bark splitting, cankers and even death of a few branches.
Decay
The large, open wounds resulting from indiscriminate pruning are such that the tree is unable to close them. As a result, the exposed tree tissues start to decay. Generally, trees tend to compartmentalise the rotting tissues. However, few trees are able to defend against the many severe wounds ensuing from topping which means the rot organisms face no objections when moving down through the tree branches or trunks.
Better Options to Topping
When a tree ought to be trimmed down in spread or height, for instance to provide clearance for power lines, there are suitable methods for doing this. You should hire the services of a certified arborist such as Agility Professional Tree Service Pty Ltd. A competent arborist will cut the branches to a lateral that is big enough to take up the terminal function. This technique of branch reduction assists to maintain the natural form of a tree.
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