Why Topping Hurts Arborists

[kev7937]

And you can just stick the brush in the dirt as an immediate replacement saving chipping costs?

[kev7937]

Do you not understand why it's ok or why it's perceived as ok?

 

 

Both.

[kev7937]

So why is it ok or perceived to be ok to top willows then?

[Mick Dempsey]

I'm pretty sure if you're someone who's worked on trees for any period of time you know.

[skyhuck]

I'm pretty sure if you're someone who's worked on trees for any period of time you know.

 

Come on Mick indulge us

[Mick Dempsey]

As it's you Dave.....

 

Willows regenerate new growth very fast, they can be brutally cut back on a regular cycle.

 

By late spring/mid summer of the first year after the cutting it's lush enough to be aesthetically pleasing to all but the most fundamentalist arb.

 

Even if rot appears in the cut wound you can cut behind it to start the whole process again.

 

I have noticed long lateral weeping willow branches will very often crack under their own weight.

 

"Meaningful reductions" are acceptable for weepers, as for crack, grey and goat willows, well, killing them by over pruning would be a neat trick.

[tree-fancier123]

what if its a variegated willow - are you allowed to cut out genetic reversions to stop the wild type taking over?

[Mick Dempsey]

I've never seen a variegated willow tbh, but you do that with maples, so why not?

[tree-fancier123]

I've never seen a variegated willow tbh, but you do that with maples, so why not?

 

thanks - was a variegated maple that prompted the question - nice big white one with a few green leaves appearing here and there, hopefully theyll pay me to keep it to the cultivar

 

mostly patio variegated willows ive seen so far

[tree-fancier123]

from the top of page 41 Arb Association Digital Arb Mag

The Arb Magazine - Issue 177

 

'a recovered 'topped' tree or a pollard will often live longer and will attain more veteran features than a maiden that has been untouched.'