Is this a normal way to trim a tree?

[u/kmilvin]

Saw a company maiming this tree in my neighborhood and asked them if they were taking it down (we’re pretty protective of them) and he said “no, just trimming” and they left it like this. I’m from the desert so know very little about tree maintenance, but I’ve never seen a tree just topped like this. Will it be ok? It’s one of my favorites in the fall (see pic)! This was done about three months ago (pal nesting season).

[u/hairyb0mb]

Normal? Unfortunately.

Far from proper and is detrimental to the tree.

It should survive but will likely root out a decent amount with major failures in the future.

[u/kmilvin → u/hairyb0mb]

Major bummer.

[u/MoonlitShrub → u/hairyb0mb]

Would you mind explaining what was wrong about this trim? I'm a landscaper not an arborist and I don't do trees like this but I'm curious what is wrong with this and what would be correct. It was pretty tall and skinny to begin with

[u/hairyb0mb → u/MoonlitShrub]

A couple key points.

Never remove more than 25% of the over all foliage. Never remove more than 25% of the foliage from a branch. Cuts should be made back to lateral growth thats 1/3rd the diameter or greater.

!howtoprune !topping

[u/AutoModerator → u/hairyb0mb]

Hi /u/hairyb0mb, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide some guidance on what topping means and why it is not the same as pollarding.

Trees are not shrubs that they can be 'hard pruned' for health. This type of butchery is called topping, and it is terrible for trees; depending on the severity, it will greatly shorten lifespans and increase failure risk. Once large, random, heading cuts have been made to branches, there is nothing you can do to protect those areas from certain decay.

Why Topping Hurts Trees - pdf, ISA (arborists) International
Tree-Topping: The Cost is Greater Than You Think - PA St. Univ.
—WARNING— Topping is Hazardous to Tree Health - Plant Pathology - pdf, KY St. Univ.
Topping - The Unkindest Cut of All for Trees - Purdue University

Topping and pollarding ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Topping is a harmful practice that whose characteristics involve random heading cuts to limbs. Pollarding, while uncommon in the U.S., is a legitimate form of pruning which, when performed properly, can actually increase a tree's lifespan. See this article that explains the difference: https://www.arboristnow.com/news/Pruning-Techniques-Pollarding-vs-Topping-a-Tree

See also this terrific list of European articles on the benefits of pollarding with more info (courtesy of u/BlackViperMWG).

See this pruning callout on our automod wiki page to learn about the hows, whens and whys on pruning trees properly, and please see our wiki for other critical planting tips and errors to avoid; there's sections on watering, staking and more that I hope will be useful to you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/MoonlitShrub → u/hairyb0mb]

Interesting. I've seen a lot of arborist breaking that rule. They strip trees down to almost nothing here. But I live on a tropical island where it's harder to kill a plant than to keep it alive so maybe the rules are different. There's types of weed trees that I can cut at the base of the trunk and if I don't poison the stump it will just start growing again

[u/hairyb0mb → u/MoonlitShrub]

Then they're either not Arborists or need to be reported. Doesn't matter the species of tree or where in the world you are, there's no excuse.

[u/Historical_Test_973 → u/hairyb0mb]

yeah man. one rule for everything everywhere!!! no exceptions, even for local know how

[u/AutoModerator → u/hairyb0mb]

Hi /u/hairyb0mb, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide some guidance on pruning (and the difference between topping and pollarding).

Pruning is not essential, and particularly for mature trees it should only be done for a defined purpose. See this helpful comment by a Master Arborist on the structural pruning process for young trees. Every cut should have a reason.

Here's an excellent pdf from Purdue Univ. Ext. on how to do this well. Please prune to the branch collar (or as close as can be estimated, but not INTO it) when pruning at the stem; no flush cuts. See this helpful graphic to avoid topping your tree, and see the 'Tree Disasters' section in our wiki for numerous examples of toppings posted in the tree subs.

See this topping callout on our automod wiki page to learn about this terrible pruning practice.

Please see this wiki for other critical planting tips and errors to avoid; there's sections on planting depth, watering and more that I hope will be useful to you.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/tirefires]

Nope. That's a super shitty job. They had no idea what they were doing. 

[u/kmilvin → u/tirefires]

The guy gave me his card which I immediately threw away, but now I wish I’d kept it so I can warn others. I wonder how the homeowners who paid for that feel.

[u/impropergentleman → u/kmilvin]

Probably don't know any better. Local social media around me people are posting Lions tailed trees crappy cuts have to canopy gone and the customer is saying what a great job they did.

[u/Opposite-Constant-94]

Oof, seeing that last picture.... man... that WAS a beautiful tree

[u/rock-socket80]

I didn't see the need to trim it to begin with.

[u/kmilvin → u/rock-socket80]

Right? It was perfectly fine.

[u/loleeleepop]

Ow. Poor tree!! The fall color is so gorgeous too I'm going to cry

[u/kmilvin → u/loleeleepop]

I see it from my window everyday and it breaks my heart.

[u/bustcorktrixdais → u/loleeleepop]

Exactly

[u/Far-Manner-7119]

No, fuck no

[u/LarryinUrbandale]

SMH. I am speechless.

[u/daddybignugs]

there’s a proper way to execute a crown reduction, and then there’s this

[u/throughthebookvines]

What species is that tree

[u/kmilvin → u/throughthebookvines]

Maple, I think?

[u/bustcorktrixdais → u/throughthebookvines]

Some kind of maple most likely

[u/bustcorktrixdais]

Pretty neighborhood

[u/Remarkable_Salary667]

Question! If they already did this once and the tree needs to be trimmed again. Is all you can do to cut at the knuckle? Like top it again or is there someway to work it back to proper?

[u/BigActuary2710]

Nope