|
Pruning
One of our
company goals is to be properly educated in
current methods of
pruning and general tree care.
One procedure still seen throughout Indiana is
topping, a technique often used to reduce the
height of a tree. 
Five reasons not to
top trees:
-
Stress
Topping takes off so much of the tree crown that
the tree is often
starved for food due to the removal of so
much foliage. Topping also exposes bark that
has been protected from sunlight which results in sunscald and
more stress.
-
Insects
& Diseases
Large stubs are created when a tree is topped.
The tree has a very difficult time healing these
wounds. As a result, the stubs are
vulnerable to insect and disease attacks and
greater amount of decay.
-
Weakened
Limbs When a limb is removed with topping,
epicormic sprouts grow to replace the
missing foliage. These new sprouts growing
from a large stub are not properly attached to the
trunk, making the junction weak and more
susceptible to decay and storm damage.
-
Ugly
Trees
a topped tree is an unnatural, ugly sight.
The tree will never be able to grow back to its
natural state.
-
Expensive
The initial cost for topping is often more than if
a tree is properly pruned. Also, in the long
run, there can be hidden costs, increased future
maintenance, and the removal and replacement cost
if the tree dies. There is also potential
liability from the increased hazards.
|
|
Instead of
topping, a tree should be properly pruned.
Vine & Branch uses a American National
Standard (ANSI) approved pruning method that are healthy for the tree, and can
achieve the look you want. These are:
-
Crown
Cleaning
removes the deadwood, as well as the diseased, broken, and
poorly attached branches, and water sprouts.
-
Thinning
removes selected branches to allow for better
light penetration, air movement, and to reduce
weight.
-
Crown
Reduction reduces the height of the tree by cutting back to lateral limbs
properly. With proper pruning, the tree will
maintain proper structure and will be able to
thrive.
-
Crown
Raising removes lower branches over sidewalks,
roofs, etc.
|
|
