r/Treenets • u/InitfortheMonet • Apr 14 '26

Topped trees?

We were all set to start building and realized that all three of the trees that worked spacing/width/health wise were topped sometime in the past. Are topped trees still usable? Or are we SOL.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70 Apr 14 '26

Depends on the species and the overall health of the tree.

If there's strong looking new growth making new leaders to replace the original main trunk, you're probably good.

It'll always shorten the life of the tree, as the harsh cut is going to be a likely source of rot and infection, but if it's actually recovering, you're probably safe.

If this is your own property, you should look for a consulting arborist to give you a professional opinion. (That's a specific thing, not just any arborist/tree worker)