Why Topping Trees is a Crime (And What to Do Instead)
We see it every year in Joplin. A homeowner gets worried that their Maple tree is "too tall," so they pay someone to cut the top off, leaving ugly stubs.
This practice is called Topping (or "hat-racking").
It is the absolute worst thing you can do to a tree. In fact, reputable arborists will refuse to do it.
Why Topping Kills Trees
1. Starvation
Trees need leaves to make food. Removing 50-100% of the leaf-bearing crown instantly starves the tree. It goes into shock.
2. Sunscald
The bark on the upper branches was shaded by leaves. Suddenly exposing it to the brutal Missouri sun causes the bark to cook and split, leading to cankers.
3. Rot
Trees can seal small wounds. They cannot seal the massive, flat cuts left by topping. The exposed heartwood begins to rot immediately. The hollows eventually travel down the trunk.
4. The "Witches Broom" Effect
The tree tries to survive by frantically growing new shoots (water sprouts) from the cuts.
- Weak Attachment: These new branches are barely attached to the rotting wood.
- Fast Growth: They grow 3x faster than normal branches.
- The Danger: In the next storm, these heavy, weakly attached branches snap off and fall.
Result: Topping makes a tree more dangerous, not safer.
The Alternative: Crown Reduction
If a tree is too tall, we use a technique called Crown Reduction Pruning.
- The Method: We cut branches back to a lateral limb that is large enough to support the remaining branch.
- The Result: The tree gets shorter, but it keeps its natural shape and can seal the wounds.
Love your trees? Don't top them. If a "tree guy" suggests topping your Oak, fire him and call a professional.