AUSINSPECTPest
& Asset Maintenance
|
|
|
|
TOPPING OR LOPPING OF TREES Picture this: You visit your manicurist because your nails are too long. She agrees you have a problem and recommends you have your whole arm removed. Better yet, have both arms removed, just in case. While, technically, this solves the problem, it demands too high a price. Apparently, this "professional" isn’t sufficiently knowledgeable to offer less severe, more appropriate solutions.Similar types of "solutions" are sometimes misapplied to tree care problems. The practice known as "topping" "the lopping off of large parts of a tree" is the tree care equivalent to amputation. Trees are often topped to height or shape, leaving branch stubs and little or no foliage. "Lion-tailing" is another practice that severely damages trees. In this case, the inner foliage, branches, and limbs of a tree are stripped bare. The lion-tailed tree has the unnatural form of a giant umbrella, with the remaining foliage limited to the ends of the branches! The limbs left on the tree are long and bare except for a characteristic "tuft" of foliage at the end, giving the appearance of a lion’s tail. Consumers today are more knowledgeable and increasingly refuse to allow their trees to be topped. Unfortunately, some so-called professionals practice lion-tailing, which is not as instantly recognized as a bad practice by consumers. Topping should not be confused with proper crown reduction pruning, which will safely reduce a tree’s size and redirect its growth. Nor should lion-tailing be confused with proper thinning, which is the selective removal of branches to decrease weight and wind resistance. Generally, proper pruning of either type will not remove more than 25 percent of the tree’s foliage. You should not top trees because doing so:
You should not lion-tail trees because:
What are some of the benefits of maintaining my trees? Trees in the urban/suburban landscape have traditionally been valued for their aesthetic qualities and shade they produce. Especially in settled areas, trees have many other important benefits. Trees enhance property values. Research shows that the value of your property could increase up to 30%, depending on the size, type, location and health of its trees. Mature trees are particularly valuable. Therefore, it makes sense to protect your tree investment with proper maintenance. You may wish to document the value of your trees with photos and a professional landscape appraisal for insurance and tax purposes. Landscape trees can help you save money and live more comfortably. With properly placed trees around your house, depending upon where you live, you can reduce winter heating bills up to 15%. A mature shade tree can block up to 90% of solar radiation, which could translate to a significant reduction in your home cooling cost. Trees act as windbreaks and sun screens. They affect precipitation, humidity and air temperature. They reduce air pollution by producing oxygen through photosynthesis and reduce noise pollution by acting as sound barriers. Landscape appraisals can help you determine the value of your trees. A knowledgeable arborist is the best person to do appraisals. Just as a competent auto mechanic can point out needed maintenance that you might not notice, a competent, professional arborist can offer diagnosis and preventive maintenance to keep your trees in top condition. Studies show that trees have beneficial psychological effects on humans. They decrease stress, inspire minds and break emotional barriers. Around the workplace, they tend to lower absenteeism and improve productivity. Many hospitals and nursing homes have beautiful green trees around them, and evidence demonstrates that trees can speed recovery from illness and are good for your health. Home |
Stephen Koelewyn - NSW Builders Licence 45109c - Building Consultant Licence BC213 - Pest Control Licence 2025Home
|
