Topping, cutting off the entire upper canopy to reduce a tree's height, is one of the most common requests we get, and one of the practices we push back on the most. It looks like a quick fix, but it usually creates a bigger problem than the one it was meant to solve.
A topped tree responds by sending out a mess of weakly attached new shoots right at the cut points. Those shoots grow fast but attach poorly, which means a topped tree often becomes more hazardous over time, not less, and it rarely regains a healthy shape.
Most height and clearance concerns can be handled with proper crown reduction or selective pruning instead, done by someone who understands how the tree will respond. It takes more skill than topping, but it keeps the tree healthy and structurally sound for years to come.
Has anyone ever suggested topping a tree on your property? We're happy to walk you through what a proper pruning plan would look like instead. Get Your Free Estimate at gregsmithtreeservice.com or call (856) 816-1475.
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A real photo comparing a properly pruned tree to a topped tree, if available, or a job photo of a crew performing selective pruning with proper technique. Authentic before/after shots outperform stock images here.
Canva text suggestion: "Topping Isn't Pruning" or "Do It Right the First Time"