So many topped trees Video. Normal or Not???

macrocarpa

macrocarpa

Branched out member
Location
Midwest
Thought I would give you guys a glimpse into the landscape I work in. This is a typical neighborhood here. When one of my arborist buddies comes to visit we play the game of trying to go 5 seconds without seeing a topped tree while driving around town, beyond 5 seconds is a rarity.

So, how bad is this? How normal or abnormal???


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9pIcL4F6LE
 
This is one of the most eye-opening tree vids I've seen. Thanks for it.
We have our share of topped trees too, but your region is worse. I was wondering why that might be. I think its because we have few trees that grow large quickly, and many species might not recover from really hard topping here.
However the ones that do grow fast and tall - poplars and willows get whacked frequently here. And for some reason, crab apples are a favorite candidiate for hat-racking.
We have no city ordnances controlling what can and can't be done with trees on private property either. A great majority of the taller boulevard trees here are city-owned and no one may touch them. City pruning is not always top-shelf but at least they don't top stuff.
 
Did the Hackers call the police on ya? I'm about 100 miles from you and there are neighborhoods here that look the same. Most of those trees can't be saved-they're too far gone. Makes me sick that people are getting ripped off and don't even realize.
 
I could only watch to about 1:20..then I bounced to the end.

I've been doing treework for over 35 years. When I started I learned from a guy who topped. Not every thing though. In all of my travels I've NEVER seen sooooo much topping! I would get discouraged :(
 
I just don't understand..... do people actually think this looks good?

Do you think the toppers stand back after a days work and admire the fine workmanship they just performed? Thats what I always wonder...
 
Looks like a few neighborhods out here in SoCal. Not every one, but a lot. And a lot in high-rent areas. "Gotta have the view."

They'll hack or re-hack all the Ash, Ficus, Sycamore, Mulberry, Carrotwood and Eucalyptus around. Some people know, but a lot don't.

Don't really have any Maples any more. Most have died and been removed.
 
WOW man it breaks my heart but atleast To me I see a truck load of cash to be made renovating those trees.
You'll be hero in that neighbourhood.

Two neighbourhoods like this in Cambridge and in Guelph.
Its a cultural thing.

I had one this summer Papa was topping it for years.
Had to keep the tree small so Mama can hang the laundry and the birds not poop on everything.
House is surrounded by concrete and the grounds and house is cleaner then a Hospital.
The son bought the house from his parents and asked if I would redo the topping of the Norway Maple.
He had lots good reasons. Let light into the turf, fruit trees and veges.
I was able to talk him out of the topping and just a 1/3 redunction and thin. I will be back now every few years to keep in control like a big big bonsai rather than a topping.
I did minor stem traces as well to dwarf slightly.

Should be pretty easy for you to put a mailer together.
Identifying the tangible and intangible of mature trees with good structure, include an image and the dollars a big old tree adds to the property value.

Easy sell.. Renovations are just as rewarding as big tree pruning and small tree training.
 
Just about the same plague that's running rampant through Asheville, although only in front yards here:) I have witnessed homeowners topping their own plum trees on orchard ladders! Makes me want to lay on the horn and make them topple.

My favorite part, Macro, was in the last minute you spotted some topped white pines and stated "White Pine's not good to have close to houses". Exactly, so don't open wounds in the top of the tree so they rot and fail quicker, I mean come on that seems like common sense, right?

Dogwoods topped! What? It seems that here the most common reason for topping is to reduce the risks involved with taller trees over houses (one wouldn't cut their sons legs if he was getting too tall) but to make topping/ heading cuts on a hedgerow of Dogwoods, WTF!

I am now fuming!
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Best luck to you on the battle lines soldier.
 
Here's my standard challenge to anyone who is considering topping. This has been in place for many years and no one has ever challenged me. Use it if you'd like. I told customers who want topping done the same.

If anyone can find a credible source of information that says that topping is OK for trees, print out the article, no matter how many pages long. Bring it to a trade show or industry meeting and I'll happily eat the article. How is that for putting my word where my mouth is?! The only place that there is info that says that topping is OK is on toppers webpages. That is NOT a credible source and anyone with access to Google will find that out in an instant.
 
I have handed out thousands of topping info fliers, but I started getting a lot of resistance and many people didn't like that I was "telling them what to do". But after 6 years of having the business and weeding out the @$$holes, I have managed to accumulated a decent client base and I really don't fuss with it too much anymore.

Just got my camera out today due to boredum, but I plan to make a more pro topping vid to put on my web page soon.

worthaug, speaking of topping dogwoods, there is no limit to species topped. One property that comes to mind has/had 6-8in diameter beautiful jap maps topped the same way they had their silver maps topped. I just about $#!!! when I saw this. I cant imagine what a nursery would ask for jap maps that size!

So it is'nt just the "too tall" thing.
 
Wow, great video. The trees suck, but I like your tone and the commentary. good job, real.

I've been video taping the same thing in my area the last 3 months and have a plan to make a youtube of what I see. Interesting, it's like yours, but not so many trees.

I say, Nuke that area, burn it all to Hell and start over.

Wow, terrible.

How can you conduct business in that area?

Really sucks man, I feel for you.
 
Truly unbelievable. Topping used to be bad in my area but never even close to that!

Keep educating, it'll stop someday.

Maybe there really are birds with chainsaw feet. And they spend their winters in your town!
 
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