Tag Archives: tree care advice

Why is Tree Topping Harmful to Trees?

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Many people believe that tree topping is an effective form of pruning. The truth is, it is not an acceptable technique at all. In fact, tree topping is the most harmful tree care practice used for pruning trees. Somehow, it has remained a common means to prune trees despite the tedious warnings from tree care experts. But there are times when trees can be topped.

Tree topping is an acceptable practice when performed on dead trees for the purpose of aesthetics or hindered views. If you want the best for your landscaping trees, continue reading to learn more about tree topping and its harmful effects on trees.

Unselective Branch Removal

Topping trees involves cutting most or all branches and limbs down to short stubs. Essentially, it is the process of removing tree branches and limbs without being selective or concerned. Tree topping also goes by the names, “tipping”, “hat-racking”, “heading”, and “rounding over.” The most common reason people choose to top a tree is to shorten it or reduce its size. Unless the tree is already dead, this is highly-detrimental to its survival. That is because tree topping is not an effective method for reducing the height or span of a tree. Homeowners also have trees topped when they feel that their tree is too large and may pose a danger in the future. But this is not an effective method for reducing tree hazards either. What topping will do is increase the risk of tree hazards and problems.

Tree Stress

Trees are living organisms, which means they too can experience a decline in health and well-being. And when they are treated improperly, they can become stressed, which can result in tree health decline and more. Stress is a common side effect a tree can experience as a result of tree topping. Most of a tree’s life-bearing crown is removed during the tree topping process, which inhibits their ability to obtain sufficient food. And when they cannot get enough food, they starve, thus triggering various other survival instincts and mechanisms.

For instance, it can trigger dormant buds to activate, which then prompts epicormic shoots to grow rapidly from every cut. This is the tree’s attempt to re-grow foliage as quickly as possible in order to survive. Unfortunately, topped trees often weaken and die because they cannot grow enough leaves back to sufficiently feed themselves.

Other Negative Effects of Tree Topping:

🌳 Decay occurs because the tree cannot close or heal its large cuts.
🌳 Exposed trees are prone to sunburn.
🌳 Epicormic sprouts can fall and damage property or injure people and pets.
🌳 Unhealthy trees attract pests and diseases.

Indianapolis Tree Pruning

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree pruning services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Curt Scott has decades of experience in the tree care industry, and provides a wide range of residential and commercial tree services, including tree removal, trimming, pruning, stump grinding, stump removal, lot clearing, and much more. Call 317-590-1842 to request an estimate for Indianapolis tree pruning, today.

Trees of the Prunus Species are Poisonous to Livestock

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The Prunus species includes over 400 deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs that yield stone fruit. The most common stone fruit trees include cherry, plum, almond, apricot, peach, and nectarine. Although these fruit and ornament-bearing trees are lovely all year-round, and provide a long list of benefits for both society and nature, they do threaten the health and vitality of livestock, including cows, goats, pigs, sheep, bison, deer, alpacas, llamas, and even equines like mules, donkeys, and horses.

If you are looking to buy new farmland for your livestock and equines, it is wise to look out for Prunus trees. All 400+ species are poisonous to livestock, donkeys, and horses. Continue reading to learn more about Prunus toxicity, and which parts of stone fruit trees are toxic to livestock.

The Toxicity of Prunus Trees

All parts of Prunus trees are poisonous to livestock, expect the ripened fruit. The fruit is entirely edible when mature, and will not have an adverse effects on livestock, cattle, and equines. This refers to the actual cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, almonds, and apricots. However, all other parts of the tree are toxic if ingested. A host of cyanogenic glycosides are the compounds in Prunus trees that make them toxic to livestock and many other animals.

Cyanogenic glycosides are cyanide molecules attached to sugar molecules, and they are located inside plant cell vacuoles. When the plant cell vacuoles of a Prunus tree are ruptured, the glycosides are released and allowed to come into contact with other parts of the plant tissue. When this happens, the compounds break down into their constituent molecules, sugar and hydrogen cyanide, which is a poison.

So when livestock chews on any Prunus plant material, whether twigs or leaves, they ingest these compounds. And once ingested, the poison prevents the animal’s red blood cells from releasing oxygen, which leads to suffocation. As little as two pounds of Prunus leaves can be fatal to full-grown cattle in a matter of minutes.

Management

If you have Prunus trees on your land, it is understandable if you cannot remove all of them. With large numbers, that could be unreasonable. So for those you cannot remove and are accessible to your livestock, be sure to have plenty of other forages for them to choose from. Livestock is very unlikely to eat Prunus species of tree unless they do not have an ample selection of fodder. Fencing-in animals or fencing-in Prunus trees are other effective methods of prevention. Be sure to also check your fields after a heavy storm to make sure branches and leaves of Prunus trees are accessible to your animals. Talk to your Indianapolis tree care company for advice on managing poisonous trees on your property.

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care

Budget Tree Care 317-590-1842

Call Budget Tree Care at 317-590-1842 for professional tree removal in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. Owner, Curt Scott, is happy to answer your questions about tree care and tree service. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, you can trust us for honest and accurate tree care advice and information! We provide a wide range of tree services for residential and commercial properties. And best of all, we guarantee to fit your budget! Call 317-590-1842 to request an estimate for Indianapolis tree service, today.