Lopping and Topping; Why it is bad for trees

There are a lot of posts and threads on this and similar forums regarding trees that have been lopped and topped. Lopping and topping are generic and unskilled tree cutting practices that leave the tree prone to ill health and, ultimately, failure.

Definition of lopping and topping

Lopping and topping is the removal of tree branches or sections of the stem at random places, often with no forethought of how the tree will react and what regrowth will develop.

Problems arising from lopping and topping

1. Open wounds and infection
Lopping and topping does not take into account the tree's ability to seal over wounds and deal with any possible infection. Correct pruning techniques promote quick callous growth and keeps intact the special bundle of cells needed to achieve this. Large-scale lopping and topping results in a massive surface area of open wounds that are a haven for biological infection that can result in decay and part or whole tree failure.

2. Weakly attached regrowth
Lopping and topping stresses the tree, and as a result the tree will produce new shoots in order to compensate for the leaf loss encountered. Sometimes these new shoots are located in or near to the surface of the cuts but are not as strongly attached as proper branches. This weak attachment of growth means that the new branches are prone to failure and snapping off during high winds, or under mechanical loading such as heavy snow.

3. Tree stress and loss of function
Trees need leaves in order to produce food through photosynthesis. Lopping and topping can reduce the tree's ability to produce this food, leading to a decline in tree vitality, vigour and energy. This physiologically weakens the tree, leaving it susceptible to infection by harmful pathogenic organisms.

The loss of branches also leads to bleeding and excessive water loss, as well as sunburn of the open wounds. The tree is also unable to store the energy it needs to see it through the winter, as it is using all its reserves in putting out new growth.

4. Creation of decay and subsequent hazards
As mentioned previously, lopping and topping can lead to areas of decay. As the wood is degraded it becomes weaker and is easily broken or dislodged. This can be problematic in areas where there is human traffic such as roads, pavements, gardens and parks.

5. Loss of aesthetics
Lopping and topping permanently destroys any aesthetic value the tree had.

6. Recurring costs
Due to the regrowth caused by lopping and topping it will be necessary to continue to cut back any new branches. If the tree should totally die and fall over then the costs associated with that could be much more than anticipated - especially if the tree falls and causes serious injury or harm.


Alternatives to lopping and topping

If light loss is an issue then there are always alternatives available. A qualified arborist will be able to advise you on what is suitable and offer a range of solutions.

A crown reduction will reduce the entire spread of the crown of the tree, while at the same time retaining the trees health and aesthetics.

A crown thin will remove certain branches from inside the crown, making it less dense and allowing more light and air to flow through the tree.

If neither of these is a suitable alternative then felling of the tree and replanting with a more suitable species of tree may need to be considered. Although it sounds drastic it will prevent a lot of problems in the future.




Further reading:
Trees Are Good - Tree Care Information
Tree Work Terminology

 

Thanks for that, come and have a word with Maidstone Borough Council will you.?

The amount of trees around here that have just been hacked down is crazy.
I'm guessing its all in the name of Health and Safety.
And the new shoots just grow so fast afterwards, but the tree looks awful