Topping a tree is not a good idea   November 11, 2001|By GREG
SOLT, Special to The Morning Call - Freelance  Topping — cutting
the crown off — not only makes a tree ugly, it can lead to its
early death.  Many homeowners assume that if they top a large
tree, it will compensate by producing a new, healthy, lower-
growing crown. It’s but not true. Removing the central trunk and
the tops of main branches permanently destroys a tree’s form and
causes unnatural growth.  Topping severely weakens trees because
it removes too many leaves. Without enough leaves to
photosynthesize, the tree slowly starves to death.  When trees
are topped, they develop “water sprouts” or “suckers.” To the
untrained eyes, this looks as though the tree is rejuvenating
but suckers don’t develop into substantial limbs or produce
enough leaves. They remain weak and spindly, and snap off easily
in storms.  Sometimes topped trees develop a double leader, or
trunk. This new trunk often is weaker than the original and can
be prune prone to splitti