What does topping or round overs do to a tree
what does topping or round overs do
- Thread starter treeman1640
- Start date
John_KAYS
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Eastern PA
Cut off all of your fingers, and then try to eat slice of pizza...that is what topping does to a tree!
John_KAYS
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Eastern PA
Treeman1640 check this out:
guymayor
Branched out member
- Location
- East US, Earth
Depends on species, cut size, % 0ff, condition, vigor, etc.
"Topping" means different things to different people. And "roundovers" may or may not be "topping". Not all proper pruning cuts are made at the collar. As Shigo noted, often there is no collar!
Good video, but no description of sustainable crown reduction was given. Maybe Mark and Melissa could shoot the next one in a tree, demonstrating proper reduction cuts made at growth points.
"Topping" means different things to different people. And "roundovers" may or may not be "topping". Not all proper pruning cuts are made at the collar. As Shigo noted, often there is no collar!
Good video, but no description of sustainable crown reduction was given. Maybe Mark and Melissa could shoot the next one in a tree, demonstrating proper reduction cuts made at growth points.
Frax
Participating member
What topping does to trees:
Let's assume we are all familiar with the main two arguments brought up to discredit topping, that
topping leaves a tree vulnerable to infection and that the regrowth from topping cuts is weakly attached compared to the original limbs.
One of the things that is less acknowledged is that when you remove most of the leaves from a tree, you rob it of its ability to create energy.
The tree needs to dig into its savings to replenish that as fast as it can. A tree with lots of reserves may overcome the obstacle. Trees with lesser reserves may die or have insufficient reserves to fight disease.
Another thing even less considered is that the fine twig ends of limbs are like whips, designed to dissipate wind energy. You rib trees of their ability to respond to wind the way they designed themselves to.
In some cases, mainly in retrenchment scenarios, apparent topping is a viable strategy. And some trees are tough enough to adapt to pollarding.
Other thing that topping does? Makes a beautiful tree butt ugly.
Let's assume we are all familiar with the main two arguments brought up to discredit topping, that
topping leaves a tree vulnerable to infection and that the regrowth from topping cuts is weakly attached compared to the original limbs.
One of the things that is less acknowledged is that when you remove most of the leaves from a tree, you rob it of its ability to create energy.
The tree needs to dig into its savings to replenish that as fast as it can. A tree with lots of reserves may overcome the obstacle. Trees with lesser reserves may die or have insufficient reserves to fight disease.
Another thing even less considered is that the fine twig ends of limbs are like whips, designed to dissipate wind energy. You rib trees of their ability to respond to wind the way they designed themselves to.
In some cases, mainly in retrenchment scenarios, apparent topping is a viable strategy. And some trees are tough enough to adapt to pollarding.
Other thing that topping does? Makes a beautiful tree butt ugly.
John_KAYS
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Eastern PA
I took a photo of this "butt ugly" property while I was passing by... What were they thinking?! 
Sad thing is - I see this all the time. This is in Reading, PA.
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Sad thing is - I see this all the time. This is in Reading, PA..
TreeLogic
Branched out member
- Location
- Coastal SC
C'mon John, you know you like the way those perfectly spaced Leyland Cypresses look against the backdrop of those totem poles. Kidding of course.
Why would anyone do that? Maybe their vegetable garden wasn't getting enough sun.
Kidding of course.Why would anyone do that? Maybe their vegetable garden wasn't getting enough sun.
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CutHighnLetFly
Been here a while
- Location
- Cape Cod, MA
they must be big star gazers
Treezybreez
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Lancaster, SC
Maybe it is part of the set for a new Apocalypse movie?
