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Visually and for the poor tree. I just want to stop at these houses and ask them "what were you thinking?" Tree Topping aka "Tree Amputation" Why it’s bad….. Does NOT keep the tree small…. After topping, the growth actually increases to replace missing leaf area it needs to "feed" itself. The trunk and roots have not been reduced, only the leaf area that supports the whole system. This dramatically reduces lifespan of the tree. Repeated removal of the leaf canopy slowly starves the tree. It’s UGLY….The sight of a topped tree is offensive to many people. The stubbed branches followed by a broom of ugly straight suckers and shoots – what an eyesore! 25 years of beautiful growth can be destroyed in a few hours. It’s EXPENSIVE.....Guys in trees with chainsaws ain’t cheap It’s DANGEROUS….Severe and/or repeated topping will create columns of rotting wood within the tree. Heavy winds or snowstorms can snap large limbs right off. The thick regrowth of sprouts make the tree top heavy, increasing chance of it blowing over in a storm. Weakly attached sprouts break off easily. Ironically, people top their trees because they believe it makes them safer. Trees are a huge community asset! Choose, plant and care for them well! information gathered from www.plantamnesty.org So how do you avoid this scenario all together? It all starts when you choose a tree. Be sure to know how big the tree gets- just as we stopped growing when we hit our genetic capacity, trees have expected sizes too. Look up- are their power lines above? Don’t plant too close to the house. If you have existing trees with branches precariously hanging over the house or power lines, get an expert tree pruner (arborist) who will selectively prune- keeping the health and longevity of the tree in mind along with the homeowner’s needs. It is one of the saddest things I see- a majestic tree reduced to a trunk with some stubs and a few leaves hanging here and there. The tree standing in shame.... Have you planted your tree yet? Did you pick the best choice for the spot? Ask for our $15 coupon off any tree over $75 (while promotion lasts...) Hug a tree! ~Erica
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Last Updated on Monday, 03 May 2010 11:06 |
