Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
I'm wondering if there is a possibility of cutting off the top of a weeping cherry tree and still have it live. I would like a smaller, tidier tree since it is now growing terribly close to the roadside electrical wires. Thanks for your advice. Jackie
Answer
Jackie - You definitely do not want to cut off the top
of your weeping cherry tree. That is called "topping" which
can cause a number of problems:
1) A tree that has been topped looks bad
2) Topping a tree increases the chances a tree will become
diseased or pest infested because of the multiple open wounds
3) The tree's ability to make food by photosynthesis is
greatly impaired, which will shorten the life of the tree
4) Topping removes the canopy leaves that the bark needs
for shade; without the leaves, it will get scalded and
damaging sunburn
5) Topping a tree is very stressful for the tree and it
will eventually die
6) After a tree is topped, it will start growing what are
called "water sprouts" (not true branches) that appear to
fill in the tree, but are not well attached structurally.
They generally grow out at odd angles and will break easily
in the wind
There are proper pruning methods to reduce the height of
trees by removing selective limbs where they originate at
a larger stem. Sometimes, this process must be done over
several years. This type of pruning is best left to a
licensed arborist, who is trained on how to do this
correctly. For very good reasons, Connecticut law requires
that every tree company that does pruning must have an
arborist licensed by Connecticut DEEP. Licensed arborists
undergo extensive training and must pass a rigorous
examination in order to get their state license. Tree
topping is taken very seriously by the state and the tree
care industry. If an arborist tops a tree, he or she will
lose their license.
The best advice is to plant the proper tree in the first
place. Sprigs & Twigs has trained licensed arborists
on staff and provides expert tree care services in tree
selection, planting, proper pruning or free consultation.
Give us a call.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
