Why do people top trees?

[NickfromWI]

For those of you who've been in this business much longer than I- What are the predominant reason that businesses top trees. Also, why do so many people ask to have their trees topped?
A better understanding of the problem brings us closer to the solution.

love
nick

 

[Nathan]

Simple - to make them shorter.

Actually, it is much more than that. It has been done every since urban trees have existed and people just do it now out of habit without knowing why. Historically it was done to have both trees/shade and wood products. Shade from the bushy topped trees. Firewood from topping the trees and then lots of switches/suckers/sprouts that are long, straight and good for making baskets, weaving, etc.

It is for more than people thinking "I like trees that look like modern art".
That is my .02 on the subject.

 

[Babberney]

I don't claim to be the authority here, but I think most people do it either because tehy saw it done before and assume it is correect, or tehy are a fraid theier trees are "too tall" and want to make them smaller before they break. Of course, we all know that's a load of garbage, but the ideas are still out there.

Which means there are people who want this "service", which is why some companies do it. The longer you do this job, the more times you will hear "If I don't do it, someone else will." Not a compelling argument IMO, but there it is.

And I believe the previous response was correct as far as the origin. Pollarding creates a continuous supply of branches that can be reached and handled easily, so repeated harvests of the two-year sprouts keeps one in firewood. Obviously, not many people are doing it for that reason now--they just have misguided ideas about what makes a tree strong and healthy.

keith

 

[John_Paul_Sanborn]

Because the bucket wont reach any higher, and they refuse to get out.

Sounds sarcastic, but there are a few companies in the area who follow that. Wont even do a job if they can't get the bucket on it.

 

[Eric_E]

The new reason around here is sattelite dish reception. You can tell them that you will be back every other year for topping or do it right the first time.

 

[klimbinfool]

John , thats is funny, but not far from the truth . The trees of Chico where prunned that way for years. Because the tree crew at the time didnt have the ability and knowledge to do otherwise.I'm forever doing crown restorations on Sycamores and Black Walnuts. Where the tower truck stoped in height, thats where it was wacked off. Unfortunate, because many of these trees wich are heritage trees are now in a major decline because of this practice. Alls the tree crew can do now, is slowly prolong thier death.