Why Is Topping Considered Harmful? Insights from a Tree Care Contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois

Tree topping is one of the most common requests homeowners make when a tree appears to be growing out of control. But topping a tree almost always causes more trouble than it solves.

Below, this tree care contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois is going to explain why tree topping has earned such a bad reputation, and we’ll also discuss what happens to a tree after it is topped.

Tree topping is still widely misunderstood

Many homeowners still see topping as regular maintenance. Cut the top back and the tree will stay smaller. And maybe it will be safer in a storm too. On the surface, that logic feels reasonable, so it keeps getting repeated. The problem is that trees do not work that way.

Trees react to topping by panicking. A massive chunk of the canopy disappears all at once and with it goes the tree’s main source of energy. Leaves are food factories for the tree. Take them away and the tree goes into full survival mode.

That stress response is what creates the wild regrowth people notice later. New shoots burst out of the cut areas and race upward as fast as they can. They grow faster than the original branches ever did, and they are weaker too.

In a few short years, the tree has grown taller and denser. Now it has a poor structure as well. So, the thing that was supposed to make the tree safer makes it more fragile.

This is why any professional tree care contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois will perform a certified arborist evaluation first. They consider the tree species, structure, age and surroundings. Only then do they recommend pruning that works with the tree’s natural growth. This method protects the tree and the surrounding property.

Topping damages the tree’s structure and health

When a tree is topped, large limbs are cut back to stubs, and the tree loses a huge amount of leaf surface all at once. Leaves are how a tree makes energy. So, when they are gone, the tree must dig into its reserves to survive.

After topping, the tree produces a lot of fast new growth. At first, it can look lush and thick. But those shoots don’t anchor deep into the wood and lack the strength of naturally grown branches.

As those shoots stretch out and gain weight, they become a liability. Wind or even their own size can cause them to snap more easily than natural branches.

The cuts themselves are another problem. Large topping cuts leave wide open wounds that are difficult for a tree to contain. Trees try to isolate damage on the inside to keep decay from spreading. The larger the wound, the harder that process becomes.

With topping, those wounds can be exposed for years. That gives decay and pests an easy entry point. Over time, the structure weakens from the inside out, even if the outside still looks green and full.

Topping increases safety risks

Topping is generally requested for safety reasons. The idea is usually to make a tree smaller and therefore safer. But it usually increases risk instead.

When a tree is topped, it responds by shooting straight up as fast as it can. That new growth is heavy and lacks the same strength as natural branches. Combined with weak attachments and internal decay, this makes topped trees more likely to fail during storms.

A professional tree care contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois will look at safety from a preventive angle. Proper pruning works with the tree’s natural structure. It balances the canopy’s weight and addresses structural issues before they become hazards. Topping bypasses all of that and leaves behind a tree that becomes more hazardous as time goes on.

Looking for a tree care contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois?

Are you concerned about the health or structure of your trees? If so, and if you’re ready to work with the best tree care contractor in Lake Bluff, Illinois, look no further than Brown Tree Service, Inc. Our team of ISA Certified Arborists specializes in tree pruning and maintenance. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.