Serious question, is topping ever actually worth it, or are we just making work for ourselves?

I just hit 50 mature oaks topped last year on my route and it got me thinking. Half the homeowners swear by it for storm safety, but I see more decay and suckering on those trees than the ones left natural. My old boss said it's a necessary evil in tight urban spots, but another crew I know refuses to do it at all. Where do you guys land on this? Do you turn down topping jobs or just take the money and run?

2 comments

2 Comments

paigep201mo ago

Take the money and run" is pretty much my life motto, but I've got a pile of regret shaped like a half-dead oak in my driveway to prove that's not always smart. Guess that's what I get for trying to get rich quick on someone else's tree.

sage_dixon28d ago

Man @paigep20 I've seen it play out too - buddy of mine topped a silver maple for a client and that thing threw up water sprouts like crazy for years before a limb dropped on their shed. Hard pass from me on topping, just not worth the headache down the road.