Technically, tree topping is the removal of vertical leader stems on large trees. This practice often leads to top rot and long cracks, and lightning often gets blamed for the tree’s human-inflicted malady. People often top trees because they feel that the tree will become hazardous, but topping greatly increases the hazard risk to the tree.

When treetops are removed, roots begin to starve. Topping stimulates excessive sprouting. The sprouts are unsightly and hazardous. Topping trees under power lines cause more sprouts to grow back in the lines faster. Excessive sprouting is a sign of low energy reserves.

Topping, sprouts and cavities lead to dangerous hazard conditions. Sprouts have a very weak union on trunks. Be on guard for sprouts that are growing rapidly in a horizontal direction.

In this progressive age of high technology and easy access to information, it is quite possible that we may soon see the practice of tree topping disappear. Oftentimes, topping has the opposite effect of hat the homeowner is attempting to achieve. It has been scientifically proven that topping is detrimental to a tree’s health – a fact that is becoming common knowledge.

The effects of topping include: the decay of large unhealed wounds, insect infestation, sunscald to the bark, and in some cases, death of the tree. Those that do survive treatment (and many species rejuvenate quite quickly) return to the original size, but have smaller limbs with weaker branch attachment, resulting in increased leaf and twig production.

The proper procedure to reduce leaf and twig production, as well as to restrict a tree’s size (wind sail appearance), is to thin it with proper pruning techniques, such as drop crotching. A large overhanging limb can be cabled and save the owner the expense of someone else’s return to remove the diseased or infected tree. Of course, the real beauty is in subtlety. A trained arborist will leave an old tree looking as if it had a manicure, not its hands removed.

Tree removal is recommended when:

• Clearing for new construction
• Proper planning may not have been used in regards to the tree’s characteristics or the size of the tree at maturity.
• The tree is causing a hazard or crowding other trees
• The tree is an obstruction or cannot be properly re-shaped
• due to improper previous pruning.
• The tree is dead or dying.

Our seasoned trained professionals are very competent with the process of tree removal. Our workers have full working knowledge of rigging and roping techniques. Our bucket truck and crane allows our crew to remove trees located even in some of the most difficult areas.