Unpopular take: I still think topping trees is better than reduction cuts in some cases

I know everyone here hates topping with a passion, but hear me out. Last spring I had a client with a 40 foot silver maple that was dangerously close to their roof. I did a proper reduction cut like we're taught, took off about 30% of the crown. Tree still looked awkward and in 6 months it was already sending up water sprouts like crazy. I went back and did a clean topping job on a different branch the next year, just cut it back to a lateral that was too small. That branch has been stable for 14 months now with no dieback. Not saying topping is always right, but I think we're too dogmatic about it sometimes. Has anyone else had a situation where a topping actually worked out better?

2 comments

2 Comments

perez.christopher16d ago

Two years later that topped maple split right down the middle in a storm.

the_robin16d agoMost Upvoted

That maple split story hits close to home, had the same thing happen to a big oak last spring.