Tree Topping

  • Causes Unsafe Structure
  • Causes Decline in Health
  • Decreases Value
  • Opens a Pathway for Insects & Disease
  • Creates Ugliness

Tree topping is abundant in the Greater Scranton Area. However, it is a dangerous practice. When trees are stubbed or topped it causes an unsafe growth of weak wood called a water sprout. These in time grow larger and because of their weak attachment to the tree, break off and cause damage or even human injury.

Siekierka Landscape will not top trees. We will use safe pruning practices that can reduce size and will not adversely affect the appearance or health of your tree.

If you are hiring a person or company to do some tree work please ask what types of procedures they use. Try to avoid a company that uses LOBBING, HEADING, STUBBING, TOPPING or TIPPING practices.

Below is a PDF file from Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. It is posted for your review to educate and inform people to stop the practice of topping trees.

Adobe pdf icon

Back to Tips

Trees of Fame
This row of Spruce was cut in half. You can still see some smaller Blue Spruce in the same row on a neighbors property.
You can start to see a path of decline of the tree. We found these trees in June of 2002. They were cut in the previous fall.
By October of 2003, disease and insects that the tree previously tolorated now have gained a foothold.
We found this tree November 5, 2002. The homeowner stated that a local municipal DPW crew cut this tree in 2001. The home owner asked if it was dead.
We revisited the nicknamed "DPW Tree" on November 04, 2003. It was removed years later.
This is quite popular. People plant white birch for their attractive white bark. They don't realize the tree's mature height. Then the topping begins!
These trees were topped together. One died and one lived. Now the homeowner needs to pay someone to remove the tree before it falls and injures someone
This Maple was topped in October 2001. At right, houses were built before our April of 2005 visit.
Now, in 2005 the homeowner wants the tree to grow. If you look closely, you can see the original strucure before the topping.
Here is an Oak that has been left to grow to its original shape. You can see on lower left pruning has been done for traffic.
This tree has been pruned 4 times. Its height was lowered 4-5 feet, but it still holds its original shape.
You can see the difference in structure with this tree that was left alone and all of the above trees.