"Top" o' the tree to you.

Have you heard of the term "topping"

Some customers request that a large tree be "topped" to reduce its size, but we NEVER recommend topping and in fact, licensed companies can lose their tree expert license for topping trees.

Here's why:

What is topping?
According to the ISA (International Society for Arboriculture) "Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role." In other words, basically just chopping off the top of a tree to mere stubs.

Why is topping bad?
1. It puts stress on the tree:
Topping can remove over half of the leaf-bearing crown of the tree that provides it with food. This puts the tree in a starvation/survival mode and puts out a large batch of shoots right below the cut. This is the tree's way of rapidly making leaves to produce food. If the tree does not have adequate storage of nutrients, it will be seriously weakened and may die.

2. It causes decay:
The cuts made by topping create wounds that the tree may not be able to heal. These wounds are susceptible to decay. Normally a tree quarantines the decaying section and isolates it. But with multiple cuts made by topping the tree may not be able to defend against the decay.

3. Topping is hazardous:
As mentioned before, the process of topping creates a lot of stress on the tree. The new shoots that are created are more superficial and less stable. This means that the new shoots are more prone to breakage and can cause damage to you our your property.

4. It's UGLY:
Topping disrupts the normal growth of a tree. After first being topped, the tree can look bare and harsh, like the limbs have been untimely amputated.  When the tree starts to grow again, the shoots sprout in a shape akin to a witches broom. The natural beauty and elegance of the tree is lost.

5. It's Expensive:
Once the tree is topped, trimming will be required again as many shoots sprout up. In addition, the shoots are not as strong and will break easily causing damage to property or requiring clean-up. While a well-maintained tree can add to the value of a property a disfigured, topped tree is more of an expense an liability.

What are some alternatives:
-Responsible pruning by a licensed tree expert. If a branch must be shortened, it should be cut back to a lateral that is large enough to assume the terminal role.
-Responsible tree removal by a licensed tree expert

Sustainable Tree Service

"OK," you say, "that's a good one. Now you are trying to make cutting down trees green, yeah right."

Well hold on skeptic! While visions of the Lorax may dance in your head and with Earth day and Arbor day just behind us, you may be thinking that cutting down trees is the antithesis of "green." But think again, my Dr. Seuss loving friend, its necessary to trim and even cut trees down at some point. I mean, you don't want dead trees and limbs falling on your house during a storm, do you?

While its important to find a contractor who knows how to safely remove trees, wouldn't it be great if tree service could be done in an Eco-concious way too? Well since a lot of our business comes from tree service, we've tried to implement sustainable tree removal policies. Here are some simple ways we have found to do this:

1. To Trim or Remove: Contact an expert to find out if the tree needs to be removed or if it only needs to be trimmed. You may be able to improve the safety and health of a tree by trimming it instead of removing the whole tree.

2. Make sure trimming is done right: Improper trimming can result in the death of your trees. Avoid topping! Make sure a trained expert is doing the trimming and that the company carries the proper licenses or certifications. In our state, Maryland, the contractor must be a Licensed MD Tree Expert.

3. Recycle: Use a company that recycles wood. Either by donating spare wood to a local lumber yard, using it for firewood or reusing the wood chips as mulch.

4. Don't be afraid to remove dead or diseased trees: If your tree is truly dead or diseased beyond treatment, don't be afraid to remove it! A dead tree is a safety hazard to you, your family and your neighbors.Tree diseases can spread between trees and result in more death and disease. Removal of a diseased tree by a professional, will prevent the unnecessary death of surrounding trees.

5. Re-plant: If you are forced to remove a tree, you can always plant a new tree or two in its place! Many local governments actually require that residents replace trees that they remove. Be an over achiever and replace trees even if it is not required by your jurisdiction.

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