Tree lopping or tree topping, is an antiquated method of
tree pruning by professional Gold Coast tree loppers, where the top of a tree is cut off “topped”
or “lopped”. This is done for good reasons, mainly safety and aesthetics or to
stimulate new growth, opening up views, allowing more light, and reduced chance
of property damage. These are all valid reasons. However, the average person’s
knowledge of proper tree care is very limited, topping or lopping of trees
actually causes more damage and makes trees unhealthy and potentially more
dangerous.
Disadvantages when
you decide to hire Gold Coast tree loppers without a good reason:
Lopping Stresses Trees
Lopping often removes 50-100 percent of the leaf-bearing
crown of a tree. Since the leaves are the food factories of a tree, this can
temporarily starve a tree. The severity of the pruning triggers a sort of
survival mechanism. The tree activates latent buds forcing the rapid growth of
multiple shoots below each cut. The tree needs to put out a new crop of leaves
as soon as possible. If a tree does not have the stored energy reserves to do
this, it will be seriously weakened and may die. A stressed tree is more
vulnerable to insect and disease infestations.
Lopping Causes Decay
The preferred location to make a pruning cut is just
beyond the branch collar at the branch’s point of attachment. The tree is
biologically equipped to close such a wound, provided the tree is healthy
enough and the wound is not too large. Cuts made along a limb between lateral
branches create stubs with wounds that the tree may not be able to close. The
exposed wood tissues begin to decay.
Lopping Creates Hazards
The survival mechanism that causes a tree to produce
multiple shoots below each topping cut comes at great expense to the tree.
These shoots develop from buds near the surface of the old branches. Unlike
normal branches that develop in a socket of overlapping wood tissues, these new
shoots are anchored only in the outermost layers of the parent branches. Instead
of reducing the tree’s height to make it safer, it has been made more hazardous
than before.
Lopping Makes Trees Unattractive
The natural branching structure of a tree is a biological
wonder. Trees form a variety of shapes and growth habits, all with the same
goal of presenting their leaves to the sun. Lopping removes the ends of the
branches, often leaving ugly stubs. Lopping destroys the natural form of a
tree.
Lopping is Expensive
The cost of topping a tree is not limited to what the
contractor is paid. If the tree survives, it will require pruning again within
a few years. It will either need to be reduced again or storm damage will have
to be cleaned up. If the tree dies, it will have to be removed. Lopping is a high
maintenance pruning practice, and there are some hidden costs of lopping. One
is the reduction in property value.
Lopped trees are prone to breaking and can be hazardous.
Since lopping is considered to be an unacceptable pruning practice, any damage
caused by branch failure of a lopped tree may lead to a finding of negligence
in a court of law. Be sure to hire tree loppers when it is really necessary.
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