Topping growth versus Natural growth (Pictures)

[climbhightree]

As a company we don't do topping work. When people call for this type of work, I will explain that this is something we do not do. And I tell them I am willing to come out to look at their tree, and give them other options. Most times I am able to meet with them and find out their concerns etc about the tree. Then, I explain to them the problems with topping a tree, and I also give them a pamphlet about it.

Sometimes, I convince them to just thin the tree, sometimes we properly reduce the tree...and sometimes they go elsewhere.


But a few years ago I found a broken branch union, doing storm damage work. It was completely split down the middle, up and down. It made a great tool to show customers on how limbs originate from the center of the stems, and how that adds strength. I always wanted to get a topping piece of wood too...and this week I finally cut one in half.

 

[Pelorus]

Shigoesque!

 

[jeffswede]

That's cool.

 

[brendonv]

Awesome.

Would you mind if i used this picture?

 

[John_KAYS]

Great example! I don't know how anyone would think it was a good idea to top a tree. I feel like every other tree has been topped in our area. We have been slowly educating people, but it is overwhelming. We use the Bulletin from The Arbor Day Foundation - Don't Top Trees! It is quite good. Trying to reestablish a topped tree is one of my least favorite pruning jobs.

I also would love to use this photo if you'd allow.

 

[climbhightree]

Sure, any and all can use these photos to educate clients.

The bulletins/pamphlets work well, but it seemed to sink in better when I showed them the one piece of wood. Especially cause I could talk and show it to them. Where the pamphlet, they would mostly look at it on their own (if they did)

 

[guymayor]

Gorgeous!

re the pamphlets, I like to underline key sections right there before handing it to them.

Restoring form in a topped tree is hard, but it's one of my favorite pruning jobs, next to retrenching veterans.

 

[treehumper]

On the list of things to do. Get a sample of topping and pamphlets. Good stuff!

Guy, clean out your messages!

 

[John_KAYS]

Yeah there is intrigue in restoring form and correcting the weed-like growth and all - and when I say least favorite I mean it is hard to compare my finished product to how it could have looked if the tree had never been topped in the first place.

Here is a Sycamore that was topped. It was seriously out in the middle of the yard and nowhere near anything and only 16 feet tall. Why was it topped? It's hard to do much with this, but it ended up looking more like a tree when I was done with it.

 

[TreeLogic]

John,
Sycamores are actually candidates for pollarding, which kinda starts out as topping but then must be systematically cut back to the same spot, i believe annually.

Guy, would you explain retrenching? Mainly how that name was chosen. It's hard for me not to think of a root treatment when i hear the term.

 

[climbhightree]

But if you are going to pollard a tree, it should be started as soon as it reaches the height you want it. One cant take a mature tree and start pollarding it...unless your only taking around 10' off. It does require annual pruning of the new shoot, back to their specific branch collars.

 

[climbhightree]

This it the tree where the "topping" piece of wood came from. We are halfway done reclaiming it, from the previous owners butcher job. In an few years we will be back to work on it some more.

 

[TreeLogic]

Bryan, yeah sorry I didn't fully read John's posts. Sounds like a lot of topping is going on in his town. Originally I thought he may have mistaken a Pollard job for a top job, being a sycamore and all, but I don't think that's the case.

The question for Guy was actually supposed to go in the veteran tree thread. Sorry.

 

[John_KAYS]

I am familiar with pollarding, yet this and many, many other trees in my area are victims of misunderstanding and bad practice. It does seem that every other tree has been beheaded. We repeatedly have to respond to the request to just cut the tree off at 20' (or pick a number). To this I respond in detail - Starvation, Shock, Insect and Disease, Weak Limbs, Rapid New Growth, Tree Death, Ugliness, and Cost. I am just a little over the top on topping because it is so common where I am.

P.S. Our clients love us and we have reclaimed a good many trees from this misfortune and provided healthy alternatives for many more keeping them from joining the ranks.

And Bryan - nice work on the reclaim.

 

[InTheTree]

Thanks for posting climbhigh. Those are great pictures. Those cross sections really shows off the distinct differences. I'll look for the opportunity to get two opposing cross sections so I can show hard evidence to people as well. Thanks for sharing and the idea!

 

[guymayor]

Guy, would you explain retrenching?

& Sure, if you have a few hours to spare. Or go to ISA conf in August and get the 40-minute synopsis. Or take a look at the attached Expo handout.

Mainly how that name was chosen. It's hard for me not to think of a root treatment when i hear the term.

&The term is British. The Germans prefer the (better imo) term 'Regenerative Pruning'.

Germany ZTV Baumpflege, 3.1.9: Focus on {growth} habit and physiological requirements.

3.1.9.1, Regenerative Pruning: Trees showing significant signs of aging in the outer parts of the crown and the development of a secondary crown are to be cut back as far as necessary (crown reduction).

3.1.9.2: Crown part reduction: Individual branches are to be reduced in accordance with safety requirements and/or the surrounding tree environment.

If necessary, areas surrounding the sections that have been reduced may require thinning to establish symmetry {and light penetration to interior buds}.

 

[TreeLogic]

Appreciate it Guy.

I guess I'm impatient so I already looked up the term. It literally means "cutting back" and is used for more than just tree care.

I have a pretty good grasp of the arboricultural process but I'm going to commit to learning more about it. Thanks again.

 

[guymayor]

2010; Retrenchment first referred to soldiers who retreated back to a line they could defend, where landforms and supplies allowed them to dig in and fight anew. This concept relates very well to declining trees, so before cutting any branches to reduce the size of the canopy, visualize the new canopy outline. The objective is to make reduction cuts so that branch tips are left intact on the new, smaller canopy.

For trees with strength loss at the base, as little as a 10 percent reduction in height often adds a great amount of stability. This effect is reported in Tree Statics tests and calculations on many trees in Europe that have been slightly reduced and successfully retained. Older trees die
back when sufficient water cannot reach their periphery.

Retrenchment makes more water available and redirects growth to a lower, consolidated crown. This pruning also redirects hormonal growth regulation,often resulting in reiteration and rejuvenation. This process has been likened by Claus Mattheck to a king being overthrown,allowing the rise of several dukes and earls.
Reiteration is any shoot that repeats the basic form of the tree.

 

[TreeLogic]

In reading your attachment I noticed that chosen laterals should be 60% upright. Is that mainly for shoots near the top of the new canopy or would this be preferable on lower and inner crown laterals as well?

 

[scott_baker]

Great dissections. Alex Shigo would love it!
Guy is right on.
Old trees seldom have tops....always decay.
Indiscriminate topping is the issue.
Decay and adaptive growth is normal for trees not altered by us.
Thanks for this post.
Scott