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Why You Should Never Top A Tree
- Your tree is valuable asset to your property, topping it will result in an unsightly, disfigured tree.
- Topping is not a quick fix. You will end up paying more for tree care because numerous watersprouts (upright vigorous stems) will grow back faster and denser than before. See diagram below:
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A deciduous tree just
been topped
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After 1 year, the tree
reaches its original height
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After 3 years, the tree
is denser than before
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- Watersprouts are weakly attached to the trunk and can pose a danger.
- A mature tree may not recover from being topped. If you remove most of the foliage then the tree will not be able to produce enough food to sustain itself.
- A tree does not heal well from a topping cut and will be more prone to diseases and pests.
- If your tree has a light bark such as beech or a birch, the bark can become sunburned.
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Here are two really good examples of terrible tree care.
The example on the left is a picture I found online.
The picture on the right is a tree here in Ottawa, on Woodroffe Ave that I noted being pruned incorrectly last year (2008).
This is akin to topping as all the ends have been hacked off.
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If your tree has outgrown it's location, the safest option is to remove it, rather than top it. If you are planning to plant a tree, take the potential size of the tree into consideration when choosing a species. See Choosing a tree for some guidelines or have one of our experienced professionals guide you.
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