The evils of tree topping

What does it mean to top a tree? Well, without going into too much detail, it basically means indiscriminately shearing a tree to reduce its size or shape.

So what's wrong with that you might ask?

A number of things. To begin with, topping a tree destroys the aesthetical form of the tree forever. After topping a tree just once, you will never be able to restore it to its original shape and beauty ever again.

Secondly, in the next growing season, the tree will send out multiple stems from each branch that is topped. These stems will be weak and will break easily, further damaging the form of the tree.

Thirdly, the open wounds of the topping cuts and the flush of new growth brought on by the topping is a special invitation for insects and disease to attack the tree.

And last but not least, topping a tree means you have started a lifelong program of yearly or bi-yearly maintenance for each tree you top. The rate of growth on a topped tree is up to three times the normal rate and so you will be investing a lot of time and money into topping the same tree over and over again.

So what can you do about it? Hire a professional ISA certified arborist who can help you achieve the desired effect you were looking for, save you a ton of maintenance costs for the future, and leave you with a tree that has been professionally pruned and in better shape than it was before the arborist worked on it.

Sure it will cost a little more than "Chuck's Chain Saw Service," but it will be money well spent.

In the city of Post Falls it is illegal to top a tree that is in the public right of way and belongs to the city. This means any tree that is located outside of a property line and within city limits.

In residences this usually means any tree between the curb and the sidewalk. In the absence of a sidewalk, it could mean a tree up to 30 feet from the roadside. So it's important to check with the city forester whether your tree is in the public ROW or not.

It is also illegal for tree companies to work on city trees that are not certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. This certification is a standard bearer in the industry and any tree service that has certified arborists working for them will most certainly display the ISA logo in their advertising.

If the logo is not proudly displayed, chances are that company is not certified and not worth hiring.

Brendan Murphy is the Post Falls urban forester. He can be reached at 292-2315.