Topping Trees Leaves Them Vulnerable to Disease

Whether shearing a tree like a poodle or sawing branches down to stumps, topping causes a tree to panic and overcompensate, quickly producing hundreds of spindly branches loosely bonded to the tree's main structure. These fragile limbs are far more vulnerable to disease-bearing interlopers such as fungi and insects.

"Topping is the second worst thing that can happen to a tree, after chopping it down," Alex Shigo said in a phone interview. "But if you have to make a choice, I'd say cut the bottom and start over. At least you maintain the dignity of the tree."

Alex Shigo is considered the father of modern arboriculture.