A tree occasionally needs to be pruned to prevent interference with utility lines, buildings or neighbors. Whenever pruning is needed, it's important to prevent the practice of topping. Topping is the removal of all parts of a tree above a particular height {for granted|without any consideration} for its structure or well being.
While topping was once thought to reduce a hazard, we warn home owners that topping is really a temporary and ineffective answer that really makes a tree much more hazardous in the long run. Why:
•Topping "starves" trees by robbing them of their food-creating leaves.
•Topped trees create shoots (branches that shoot straight up) in an act of defense, which develop rapidly (up to 20 feet in one year) and are prone to breaking.
•Topping tends to make trees much more susceptible to insects and illness.
•Topping creates "high maintenance trees" which are costly to treat and repair.
That being said, here are some fundamentals for pruning or trimming trees.
•Reduction pruning is an efficient option to topping. It reduces the size of longer branches by cutting back lateral ones. Some branches are removed at their point of origin.
•Avoid excessive thinning of interior branches. It can result in fast growth of upright interior shoots and limb breakage.
•The greatest method to learn to manage tree growth and preserve tree well being is to seek the advice of an ISA Certified Arborist. These tree care experts know how you can safely prune trees, and they are able to teach property owners how to best maintain and care for them. Find one at Bobrayco.com.
