As winter approaches and we are coming out of an intense summer, trees need regular trimming to help them prepare for the harsh conditions ahead. But not all tree trimming services are created equal, with some having serious consequences for the health of a tree.
These consequences include damage to the tree itself, its structure, and surrounding plants. This is why many experts believe that lopping should be avoided.
Understanding the Art of Tree Lopping
Trees are a beautiful and beneficial part of the natural environment. They provide shade and greenery, help regulate the climate by preventing excessive rainfall and wind, and produce the oxygen we need to live. However, they can also become a hazard to you and your property if not properly maintained. This is why it is so important to understand the difference between tree lopping and pruning. Tree pruning is a process that is used to shape trees and train their growth in specific directions while tree lopping involves the haphazard cutting of a large number of branches without consideration for the tree’s overall health or shape.
Tree Lopping is a very destructive form of tree maintenance that can have a number of negative impacts on a tree’s health. For starters, the indiscriminate nature of lopping can cause damage to the roots and trunk of the tree which can ultimately result in its death. Additionally, the open wounds left by lopping can lead to disease and pest infestation.
These open wounds are especially vulnerable to bacterial, fungal and pest invasions as they allow these pathogens easy access into the tree. They also reduce the ability of a tree to naturally defend itself against these harmful infections through its own chemical defences.
Furthermore, when a tree is lopped, it can go into a state of shock and respond by quickly re-growing branches and limbs where they have been cut. This rapid re-growth can lead to the tree becoming unstable and eventually leading to limb or even tree death.
Lastly, the practice of tree lopping is extremely dangerous to those involved. It requires climbing and working high above the ground, surrounded by heavy tree parts and branches. As a result, it is not an activity to be undertaken by novices and should always be left to tree lopping in northern suburbs Melbourne professionals.
It is important to note that a qualified professional will be able to use proper safety procedures when performing tree lopping Eltham services. This will ensure the protection of the climber, those who are below them and nearby properties from any falling debris as well as ensuring the correct procedure is followed to avoid damaging or harming the trees.
Branches
Trees in North East Melbourne are an important part of our landscape. They provide shade and greenery and play a vital role in balancing the environment. They also add value to your property and are a great way to improve the appearance of your property, whether it be making it look more spacious or improving curb appeal. Regardless of the purpose, trees are important to our lives and require regular maintenance to keep them healthy. Tree lopping is a form of pruning that involves cutting entire branches or sections of a tree, usually to improve the safety and aesthetics of your landscape. It is often performed by tree lopping experts who use specialised equipment and knowledge to safely trim large trees. However, many people do not realise that lopping is a dangerous and destructive process that can do more harm than good.
One of the main problems with lopping is that it often results in new growths and epicormic branches that are poorly attached to the rest of the tree, resulting in poor structure and instability. These branches can break easily, posing a risk to anyone walking underneath them or even damaging nearby buildings and vehicles. In addition, lopped trees are more susceptible to disease and pest invasion as the open wounds left by the cutting process allow bacteria and pests to enter the tree.
Another problem with tree lopping is that it can starve the tree of its energy by removing too much of its canopy. This can cause the tree to become dehydrated and weaken its immune system, allowing bacterial and fungal infections to grow in the wounds. Additionally, the severe wounds caused by tree lopping can take a long time to heal, leaving the trees exposed to the elements which can cause further damage and disease.
Finally, tree lopping can damage the health of a tree by causing it to go into shock. This can cause the tree to over-grow in an attempt to produce the same amount of wood that was lost, resulting in unhealthy and unstable branches that are more likely to fall. This can be particularly harmful if the tree is located in a high-risk area, such as near power lines or buildings.
Crown
A tree’s crown is the outer ring of branches that extend from the top of the trunk. The crown can be trimmed and shaped to improve its appearance and structure while also strengthening the overall health of the tree. When properly performed, crown thinning, raising and reduction can reduce risk of damage to property and people.
During this process, the branches of a tree are removed to a specified size and shape by reducing their volume through reduction cuts. This is commonly done to remove dead, damaged or misaligned limbs to reduce risk of injury and to improve light penetration through dense foliage. It is a much less destructive pruning method than lopping or topping which are considered to be unacceptable pruning malpractices.
Crown cleaning is the removal of dead, diseased or broken branches from the crown. This is an important part of tree lopping as it prevents future damage and encourages new growth. Crown cleaning can be carried out at any time of year but is best undertaken in winter when the leaves have fallen and it’s easier to assess the branch structure.
A crown lift is the lowering of the lower branches of a tree to provide clearance above ground, roads or structures. This is a common practice in urban settings or on public trees where pedestrian and vehicle traffic must pass beneath the canopy. However, it should be noted that this technique can be dangerous and should only be carried out by trained arborists.
Topping is a pruning malpractice that involves the VERTICAL cutting of large side branches of a tree. This drastically reduces the tree’s crown size and height and can be very damaging to it. Topping is one of the most common and most harmful tree lopping mistakes and should be avoided at all times.
Trunk
The trunk of a tree is an important part of the overall health of the plant. It provides support for the branches that grow from it and helps to carry the weight of the foliage.
When a tree is lopped, the trunk becomes exposed to intense sunlight and heat, which can lead to bark splitting and irreparable damage. In addition, the open pruning wounds from lopping can be a breeding ground for pathogens, such as fungus, bacteria and insects. The lack of a natural defence system makes these lopped areas particularly vulnerable to infection and decay.
Lopping can also leave the remaining branches in a very unbalanced state, and their growth patterns will be off-kilter. This can affect the overall stability of the tree, causing it to sway and potentially falling over. If this happens, it can pose a serious safety risk to anyone walking beneath the tree, as well as damaging property or even injuring someone.
It’s essential to understand the difference between tree lopping and tree pruning when hiring an arborist for your Perth properties. Tree lopping is an improper pruning technique that involves indiscriminately cutting large side branches vertically, often without following the branch collar. This method can severely damage a tree’s health and encourage regrowth that is weaker than the original structure.
On the other hand, tree pruning is a more precise method of trimming that involves carefully removing diseased or damaged branches, thinning out the canopy and shaping the tree for aesthetic purposes. This is a much safer and more effective way to maintain trees in your landscape.
Unless performed by Oz Tree Services, lopping can be detrimental to the health of your trees. It is a dangerous and time-consuming practice that can cause serious damage to the roots, trunk and crown of a plant. A professional tree service will use a chainsaw or other powered tool to cut through the branches of a tree, removing the unwanted parts and leaving behind healthy sections. They will also avoid using any treatments on the cuts made by the chainsaw, as research has shown that this can be harmful to living cells.