Why Topping Hurts Arborists

[benedmonds]

Klaus Mattheck had some interesting comments at the last seminar I went to, about monoliths in public places. He dislikes them intensely because of their potential to fail due to the decay that provides the habitat that they're kept for. I can see his point.

...

 

I also recall Mattheck saying he has a topped pine or something in his garden..

[Mick Dempsey]

Really?

 

Trees fall over because they grow too big:lol::lol:

 

Not TOO big Gary, but a poplar for instance at 100 ft, in an urban environment is far more likely to suffer wind throw than one half the height.

[Mark Bolam]

I wonder how many deaths were avoided by topping of trees? Trees not falling on houses, not getting wind thrown.

 

 

I have saved thousands of lives.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Mick Dempsey]

Ha ha, Oscar Schindler.

[Joe Newton]

I couldn't read all the way through. Can someone just tell me if I have to stop the 60% reductions?

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Arbtalk mobile app

[Mark Bolam]

Not at all Joe, just make sure you move areas regularly.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Gary Prentice]

I have saved thousands of lives.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

You're an unsung hero, Mark, a legend in your own lunchtime:biggrin:

[mdvaden]

I think one of the huge problems along these lines is communication. Arborists attacking "topping" often fail to communicate as bad as tree services removing tops without cause.

 

The first thing they should do is explain what their definition of topping is.

 

Lately, I removed the top 1/2 of our new Japanese Umbrella Pine. In my opinion, that is topping. And it's the only way I will effectively alter its form to make the new small tree round-headed, and keep it short. The cut was small, and the tree can handle it perfectly.

 

If any arborist tries to undermine the tactic I just used, the next 20 years of excellent tree health and growth by that tree is going to blow their argument and reputation out of the water.

 

When trees reach certain sizes, larger cuts can cause a lot of problems. So it's important for arborists to cover all the bases when talking about pros and cons of topping and defining it.

[Gary Prentice]

I think one of the huge problems along these lines is communication. Arborists attacking "topping" often fail to communicate as bad as tree services removing tops without cause.

 

The first thing they should do is explain what their definition of topping is.

 

Lately, I removed the top 1/2 of our new Japanese Umbrella Pine. In my opinion, that is topping. And it's the only way I will effectively alter its form to make the new small tree round-headed, and keep it short. The cut was small, and the tree can handle it perfectly.

 

If any arborist tries to undermine the tactic I just used, the next 20 years of excellent tree health and growth by that tree is going to blow their argument and reputation out of the water.

 

When trees reach certain sizes, larger cuts can cause a lot of problems. So it's important for arborists to cover all the bases when talking about pros and cons of topping and defining it.

 

 

 

'New, young, small cuts, planned long term managemen'. This comes across more as pollarding, not effectively cutting a sixty foot, semi-mature/mature tree in half.

[stihlmadasever]

You can talk till your blue in the face to homeowners about there trees and whats good for the tree and a regular maintenance program but some just want the top

"lopped off" and think annual maintenance is just an exscuse to rip them off.