Why “Topping” Hurts Trees
It is a common occurrence when driving around town to see many different species of trees topped. Topping occurs when the crown is completely removed from the top of the tree, which can cause an extensive list of harmful situations for the tree as well as for the onlooker.
Some of this damage includes: stress which can lead to insect and disease infestations, decay, sunburn, weak shoots, severe unattractiveness, long-term costs due to increased maintenance and liability, and reduced property value.
Read up for a thorough outline of what topping does to trees and why it should be avoided at all costs: “Topping is Bad”