Do Your Trees Suffer From Indecent Exposure?

First posted on 04-30-2008

Most doctors advise against overexposure to the sun. Likewise, trees are living organisms that also can suffer from sun damage – especially when their tops have been removed. Topping is the indiscriminate cutting back of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include “heading,” “tipping,” “hat racking” and “rounding over.”

Nature’s Sun Screen
When tree tops are removed, the remaining branches and trunk are exposed to high levels of light and heat. The result may be sunburn of the tissues beneath the bark, which can lead to bark splitting and death of some branches.

The most common reason for topping trees is size reduction to avoid hazards. However, topping is not a viable method of height reduction and makes trees more susceptible to the elements over the long run.

Avoid Crash Dieting
Topping often removes 50 to 100 percent of the leaf-bearing crown of a tree. Since leaves serve as the “food factories” of a tree, a topping can temporarily “starve a tree.” Topping can also ruin a tree’s aesthetic beauty. Without leaves for extended periods, topped trees often appear disfigured and mutilated. Moreover, they can never regain their natural form.

Alternatives
There are alternatives to topping but you will need the services of a professional arborist to determine what type of pruning is necessary to achieve your objectives and to improve the health, appearance and safety of your trees. Professional arborists employ well-trained crews, with all of the required safety equipment and liability insurance.

Getting Help
Arborists who are members of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) ensure the highest quality service for your trees. The ISA has an international voluntary certification program that combines experience with extensive examination covering all aspects of tree care.

ISA advises against using the services of any tree company that advertises topping as a service provided. Knowledgeable arborists know that topping is harmful to trees and is not an accepted practice. Also be cautious against companies whose crews use tree spikes for climbing trees. Climbing spikes can damage trees, so their use should be limited to trees that are being removed.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Champaign, Ill., ISA is dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist or visit http://www.isa-arbor.com.

Source: http://www.treesaregood.org