tree topping

[pongwonkle]

if chop the top of a tree will it kill the tree

[apricot]

Probably not but you should coat the raw end with a sealant to stop disease getting in. You may need to think of how the tree will look without its top though.

[Bob...]

it will almost certainly kill the bit you cut off

[Robinia]

Any major pruning of a large,mature tree should be carried out by a reputable tree surgeon Not only is it a dangerous job but done badly & at the wrong time of year it could kill the tree. There are also laws regarding tree pruning, so look in yellow pages & get some free estimates & advice.

[darth vader]

ha ha and noddy will give you a reasonible quote if he's in your area. the growth hormone of a tree is in it's outermost parts so by "topping" it you will stop it growing any higher. But as Apricot says it's a bit like opening a wound so you need to protect it from disease if you intend it to live.

[darth vader]

ps. the only law i know about tree pruning is that if the tree doesn't belong to you, you must give the prunings back to the owner. care to expand, noddy?

[Robinia]

Ok darth... I'm not a tree surgeon, just a mere female amateur gardener! I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that it's a large, mature tree.In this case it's a question of whether it's pongwonkle's tree to chop (does he/she own the land where the tree is growing or does it belong to the council for example? ) and some trees have a Tree Preservation Order on them. Better to ask first & chop later - you can't stick the top back on! And you can't stick your arm back on very easily either once you've sliced that off!

[Robinia]

just found this, it might make more sense than my garble...http://www.letsgogardening.co.uk/Information/garde
ninglaws.htm

[darth vader]

sorry (ms) noddy - Answerbank is so hermaphroditic (non gendered?) don't you think? - with regards pruning you are allowed to prune someone elses tree if the prunings are overhanging your land, but you must give the prunings back to the owner. with TPO's the owner must make all the necessaries anyway and not let it overhang

[SteveG]

Hello All, I have a little knowledge here so here goes: Topping is normally associated with Fir's and Leylandii, it will live but look ridiculous. These are not protected so I suggest you have it cut down, dug out and re-plant something deciduous and more manageable. To kill any mature tree by topping/ pruning is extremely difficult especially when you imagine natural storm damage etc. Treating the cuts may cause toxic shock and cause more harm than good, most people believe creosote or any household paint is ideal but would you put that on a cut on your arm, they will heal naturally!!. Generally speaking only certain Maple, Chestnut, Oak, Laburnum ( basically furniture wood) or Mature Trees with preservation orders are protected but even reputable Arborists will turn a blind eye when all it involves is a little light pruning. As for passing your neighbours back the cuttings, unless these are suitable for a table top or a sculpture I suggest you refrain for fear of being scrapped from their Christmas card list.

[Newt]

It's really not good to top trees. Here's why. http://www.plantamnesty.org/stoptopping/5reasonstostoptoppin g.htm Newt