Topping, cutting main branches back to stubs to reduce height, is a request we still hear from property owners concerned about storm risk. It typically causes more problems than it solves.
A topped tree responds with a cluster of weakly attached new shoots at each cut, growing faster and less securely than the removed branch. Within a few years, the tree is often taller and more hazardous than before the cut.
Selective structural pruning targets specific branches and reduces canopy weight where it matters, achieving the same safety goal without long-term structural damage.
Serving Baltimore County, MD and York County, PA with professional pruning standards.
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Photo of a crew member performing selective structural pruning, or a before/after comparison of proper pruning technique. Authentic job photos preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Prune Smart, Not Short" or "Structural Pruning Over Topping"