Stop Before You Top

For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact Sonia Garth:
(217) 355-9411 Ext 217

Stop Before You Top

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- A tree on your property has gotten out of control! It's grown tall enough to interfere with utility lines. Its branches are hanging over your roof, creating a hazard in a strong wind. It seems to have taken over your yard! What do you do? Following professional industry standards for pruning techniques, the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) does not condone "topping" as an acceptable method for branch reduction.

What is topping? Topping is the indiscriminate removal of tree branches above a certain height with little consideration for the tree's structure or health. Tree branches are cut back to stubs or smaller branches which are not strong enough to grow back as a single, dominant branch. Instead, a flush of regrowth surrounds the wound.

At times, homeowners think topping is necessary when trees have become too large for the property they are located on and, therefore, present a hazard. However, it is not a viable method for reducing a tree to manageable proportions. It creates more hazard than help!

Why topping hurts trees:

• Topping stresses trees - The process of topping often results in the removal of 50 to 100 percent of the leaf-bearing crown of the tree. Leaves act as the food factories of a tree, and removing them can temporarily starve a tree. As the tree goes into a sort of "survival mode," it creates shoots that grow quickly (up to 20 feet in one year) and are prone to breaking. The stress of this severe pruning can also leave a tree open to insect and disease infestations. This is especially true of thin-barked species, such as maples, white pine, and yellow birch.
• Topping causes decay - Trees are naturally able to seal superficial wounds that careful pruning will leave. They are equipped with biological means to compartmentalize the decaying tissue that is created by the exposed wood tissue. However, when topping occurs, most healthy trees are unable to defend themselves from multiple, severe injuries.
• Topping can lead to sunburn - Leaves act as a tree's natural barrier from sunlight. When a tree has been topped, the leaf-bearing branches have been removed, leaving a tree exposed to high levels of light and heat. The result of sunburn can be damage of the tissues beneath the bark, which can lead to cankers, bark splitting, and death of some branches. This is especially true of thin-barked species.
• Topping makes trees ugly - Besides the harm it can cause your tree, a topped tree can be an eye-sore. Topping both destroys the natural form of the tree and creates stubs where branches used to flourish. Without leaves, the tree appears disfigured. Once a tree has been topped, it will never fully regain its natural form and beauty.
• Topping is expensive - Topping costs the homeowner in more ways than just the initial expense. If the tree survives this severe pruning, it will need to be reduced again in a few years. With a weakened structure, storms may cause more damage than to an otherwise healthy tree, necessitating further assistance from an arborist. If the tree does not survive, it will then have to be removed from the property. Topping also causes a hidden cost--diminished property value. Well-kept trees can increase property values by 10 to 20 percent, but topped trees present more of a maintenance issue than they are worth.
• Topping trees are a potential liability - Topped trees are prone to breaking and can be hazardous. Since topping is not an acceptable pruning practice, a homeowner may be found negligent in a court of law for any damage caused by the branch failure of a topped tree.

What are the options? Trees will need to be pruned back from time to time to reduce spread or height. ISA suggests the following recommended pruning practices:

• Reduction pruning is an effective alternative 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 lead to rapid growth of upright interior shoots and limb breakage.
• The best way to learn to manage tree growth and maintain tree health is to consult a Certified Arborist. These tree care professionals know how to safely prune trees, and they can teach homeowners how to best maintain and care for them.

Make careful choices. Selecting the right tree for your property can help to negate the costs of upkeep. When planting new trees, it is important to allow clearance for utility lines, sidewalks and driveways, below-ground pipes and power lines, and property lines. Homeowners should also take into account the conditions of the planting area. Soil quality and the amount of sunlight available can affect tree species differently. Taking this step before planting will reduce some of the pruning needs in the future. Be sure to pick the right tree for the right place!

For more information on acceptable pruning methods and topping, or to find an ISA Certified Arborist, visit www.treesaregood.org.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, IL, is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org. Also, as a part of ISA's dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com.