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DAE change their mind on topping after the ice storm in Springfield last month?
I used to think topping was lazy hack work, but after watching 3 topped maples in Springfield leaf out fine while my clean-pruned oak lost a whole lead, I'm starting to wonder if there's a case for it. Anyone got a real rule for when topping actually helps vs when it just wrecks the tree long term?
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kim_hart724d ago
My neighbor topped two silver maples after that same storm and they came back bushier than ever, while the willow I babied with careful cuts just kept dying back. Your mileage may vary depending on species though, since I have heard topping is basically a death sentence for things like oaks and hickories. There is probably a real rule hiding in the tree biology somewhere, but from what I have seen it comes down to how well the tree can bounce back and whether you care about long term shape.
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