I saw a photo of a topped tree, and I immediately thought of St. Louis. A few years ago there was a days-long power outage caused by tree branches falling on power lines. City workers trimmed the trees as they repaired the power lines.
Each spring since then, the city goes through the neighborhoods and cuts back any tree branch that might possibly grow into its power lines. And since that’s the way the city does it, people assume it’s the correct way, so they begin mimicking that technique when they trim their own trees. Apparently, most people don’t know what they’re doing.
Improperly pruned, or topped, trees are easily recognizable. They’re ugly and awkward looking and have thick stumps with many small, straight sprouts shooting up.
Ashley Mulis, Executive Director at the Indiana Urban Forest Council says that “trees, when pruned correctly, will usually not look as if they have been pruned and their overall health will be improved. The shearing or rounding over robs trees of too much of their canopy, which is how trees produce food.”
Topping trees merely starves them of the nutrients they need, which can result in rotting or weak limbs and branches. This practice will not stop tree growth. In fact, cutting too much from a tree sparks a growth spurt because the tree wants to quickly regenerate its lost growth and return to its original size. Topping also disrupts or eliminates the natural size-tapering of branches from thick to smaller, affecting its natural strength integrity.
Tree topping is an indication that it was too tall for the area in which it was planted. Urban forest management begins with good tree selection and the best placement for each particular species. The IUFC gives homeowners information on how to select the right kind of trees and correctly plant, care for and prune them. The organization provides valuable resources to answer questions, get information and advice from a wide range of tree professionals. They also encourage you to get involved with a local urban forestry committee, raise community awareness, or even find grant money to help improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood, enhanced by lots of healthy trees.
Learn How to Properly Select and Plant Trees
Trees conserve energy by providing shade, help control flooding and prevent soil erosion, filter our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife. The wide variety of benefits offered by trees makes them desirable to homeowners and as community assets along streets, in neighborhood parks and in urban green space areas.
The IUFC provides affordable local programs to teach people how to properly select and plant trees, prune and care for them. Ashley said, “We act as a resource, offering advice to residents who are often concerned about the trees in their neighborhood and along their city streets being removed or improperly pruned.”
The organization also acts as a liaison, communicating public concerns to state legislators and other government agencies, conservation organizations or anyone with an interest in urban forestry. “We also provide advice on how communities can go about protecting their public tree assets through ordinance creation and outreach in the individual community.”
It doesn’t matter what state you live in, you can always find a certified arborist to call who is trained to prune trees according to industry standards. Educate yourself to avoid improper tree pruning, topping, or cutting away too much. Keep in mind that it’s also important for trees to be planted at the correct depth, in a wide enough hole, with the roots loosened from the container, burlap sack, or ropes. Understanding how to select and care for trees will ensure they live to their maximum life expectancy.
By teaching correct tree care and maintenance, the IUFC hopes minimize the loss of trees. Their mission is to bring public awareness about the many benefits trees can provide urban communities.
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