Saw a crew topping a row of mature oaks in Springfield

They were cutting all the main leaders back to stubs on about twelve trees along a property line, claiming it was for 'storm safety'. I argued it creates weak, hazardous regrowth and told the foreman it was a bad practice, but he just shrugged and kept going. When did topping become an acceptable solution for a certified crew?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee.cole1mo ago

Topping trees is pretty common around here for utility line clearance. Maybe the crew was just doing what the property owner asked for. It's not great, but sometimes people just want the quick fix.

hayden_ross821mo ago

My buddy had a crew do that to his maples last year. Same storm safety excuse. Now the new growth is all spindly and snaps off in every little windstorm. Total mess.