What Is Tree Topping?
What Is Tree Topping?
How over-pruning can kill your Seattle trees.
Annual pruning can preserve your tree's structural integrity and encourage healthy growth when done thoughtfully.
BUT
Pruning too much or at the wrong time can kill your trees.
Hiring a certified and Seattle city-approved tree care company with an arborist on staff ensures that your trees, young and old, receive just the right amount of pruning and trimming for their needs.
Local tree pruning companies have the knowledge of how to care for all common fruit, deciduous, coniferous, palm, hedge, and shrub species in your area. They can identify any illnesses or diseases impacting their health, address them, and teach you what to look for and prevention strategies.
If you feel confident in your ability to prune your trees - and have the proper equipment - here is a handy guide to ensure that you do not over-prune your trees and cause more harm than good.
This Article Will Cover
What Is Tree Topping
How Much To Prune Your Trees
When To Prune Your Trees
What Is “Tree Topping”?
Tree “topping” or “heading” is when too much of the healthy canopy branches or top of your tree has been cut away.
It looks like this:
Tree Topping Image Courtesy of
Seattle Times
The City of Seattle has prohibited this tree-killing practice in city parks and this is one of the many reasons they now require tree care companies to register with the city.
Why Is Tree Topping Bad For Trees?
At one time, cutting back the majority of foliage-producing branches severely was thought to encourage leaf and fruit production but it actually has the opposite effect.
Tree Topping:
- Removes the leaf-producing branches which dramatically reduces the tree’s ability to photosynthesize and nourish itself.
- Leave newly formed branches susceptible to sun scald.
- Creates an easy pathway for pests and pathogens to enter the cambium of the tree.
- Leaves your tree susceptible to wood rot which can lead to fatal branch failure.
- Fungi spores can easily penetrate the trunk and root system killing your tree from the inside.
While some tree species may be able to recover from over-pruning, most cannot, and there are better pruning techniques that encourage healthy leaf and fruit production and structure.
Alternatives to tree heading
include selective canopy pruning, spiral thinning, and other techniques safely remove sail branches, increase light penetration and air circulation, and decrease wind resistance preventing wind throw and branch failure.
How Much Should You Prune Your Trees?
As a general rule, you should
never prune more than 15% of the canopy of your mature trees in a given year
(10%
for young trees).
When pruning your trees, the objective is to remove dead, diseased, dying, suckers, and branches that threaten the structural integrity of your tree.
For how to prune your trees, read our article on pruning techniques. You can also follow the guides created by the City of Seattle found here.
When Is The Best Time To Prune Your Seattle Trees?
The
best time to prune your Seattle trees is during the winter.
Trees are dormant during the colder temperatures and so are the parasites, insects, and fungi!
Removing dead, diseased, and potentially hazardous branches during the winter gives your tree time to heal and encourages healthy growth, leaf, and fruit production come spring.
Summer months are a good time to remove suckers and water sprouts, look for signs of insect infestation and illness, and trim back branches that are not productive. It is easier to identify which branches are dead and diseased during the summer because they won’t produce leaves or the leaves won’t look right.
If you see signs that your tree may suffer from infestation, blight, or other diseases, have a city-approved arborist inspect your trees. If caught early enough, you may be able to save your tree and prevent the disease from spreading.
For tips on common diseases affecting Seattle trees, read our article on
Common Tree Diseases To Watch Out For In Your Seattle Trees.
PRO TIP: Pruning back overgrown apple trees in the early summer (when it’s easy to identify what branches are not flowering or productive) is effective for controlling structure and form because they are focusing their energy on bearing fruit and don’t have the energy for regrowth.
Unfortunately, there are tree services that still promote and practice tree topping and over-pruning in the Seattle area.
If you see someone heading trees, report it to the city immediately at 973-919-8662.
Sound Tree Care is a top-rated, licensed tree care company with a certified arborist on staff serving SeaTac, Seattle, and the surrounding communities. Approved by the City of Seattle and Burien, our tree care specialists can help you keep your trees healthy and strong with regular tree pruning, preventative maintenance, removal, and disease treatment services.
