Careful planning ahead can often eliminate the necessity of drastic pruning in the future. Careful and judicious pruning while the tree is young can eliminate the need for major pruning later on. This can effectively control tree growth and preserve the natural form of the tree without causing serious damage to tree health. Pruning is a continuing task which requires foresight, but it is also a good investment in time and money. Conclusion Topping damages hundreds of large, beautiful trees each year in Kentucky.
Many people are unaware of the detrimental effects of topping.
Others regard trees as blocks of wood rather than living organisms that can be easily injured. This type of misinformation about tree care needs to be corrected. Trees are subjected to a number of stresses during their lifetime. Many of these, such as lightning, flooding and drought, are stresses that we have little or no control over. Topping is also a form of stress, but it is a stress that can be avoided.