Is tree topping bad for trees?

Topping is when a tree is cut back hard, leaving big stubs where branches used to be. It may look like a quick fix for a tree that feels too tall, but it often does harm.

The tree loses much of its leaf area, which it uses to make food, so it is stressed. The large cuts are open wounds that can let in decay and insects. To recover, the tree sends up many thin shoots from the cut area. These shoots grow fast but are weakly attached, so they can snap in wind. The tree can end up more dangerous than before.

Topped trees also tend to need more care later, and they may lose their natural shape.

A better choice is crown reduction or selective pruning. This means cutting branches back to a side branch that is large enough to take over, in a way that keeps the tree's natural form. A trained arborist can explain which method fits your tree.

If a company offers to "top" your tree, ask why and ask for another option in writing. If the tree is too close to the house or wires and cannot be saved safely, removal may be the better plan.

Our guide to topping versus crown reduction explains the difference in plain words.