Rant: I used to think topping was fine for quick height control

A client in Springfield had two maples topped five years ago, and now they're full of weak, crowded sprouts that break in every storm. Seeing those trees fail over time, compared to proper crown reductions I've done, made it clear. The stress response is just not worth it. How do you guys talk clients out of topping when they're set on it?

2 comments

2 Comments

ericb662d agoProlific Poster

Yeah, "the stress response is just not worth it" is the perfect way to put it. I've spent more time fixing topped trees than I ever did doing the bad cuts in the first place. It just creates a way bigger problem down the road.

hugo_nelson2d ago

Honestly, it's like kicking the can down the road but with a chainsaw. Tbh a proper thinning cut is way less work in the long run.