topping vs. reduction

[clearance]

At work today I was looking over the specs. for the pruning/slashing job we are doing for our utility. They say that trees are not to be topped, but crown reduced. I always top to proper laterals, I call it topping. The question-is there a difference, or is it like calling used cars "pre-owned vehicles" ? I think that when you remove the top of the main stem it is topping, please set me straight. I know topping is bad but the trees either get topped or cut down because they are to close to the line.

 

[matthias]

I call it "drop crotching". Hard to always find ideal laterals when trying to get 5-7 years clearance. Sometimes I only cut 2-3 years clearance if it makes for a better looking tree. Mind you all those nice cuts I made sucker up just as bad as if I topped it anyway. Then you only get a year or two. :Eye:

 

[MasterBlaster]

That about sums it up. Do your best, but sometimes you hafta massacre...

 

[JJackson]

What about trees like pines, firs and spruces, can you really reduce these, I would think in the case of most softwoods topping is topping, no proper reduction cuts made.

 

[MasterBlaster]

I've seen a jizillion topped pine under lines, and they were thriving. Sorta...

 

[treeseer]

. I always top to proper laterals, I call it topping. ... I think that when you remove the top of the main stem it is topping, please set me straight.

Topping uses heading cuts, often internodal, to a predetermined crown limit. reduction is "Selective pruning to decrease height and/or spread"--ANSI-- made to proper laterals (or nodes), so what you are doing is shortening the stem with reduction cuts the best way possible for the tree under your conditions.

Just because you cut the top off does not mean you are topping. Yes it's confusing sometimes, but don't call what you are doing "topping" if you are slanting cuts at the best place you can find. reduction cuts are not the devil; when they must be used they are good to use.

 

[Stumper]

Right. What Guy is saying. The common definition of topping that is UNACCEPTABLE is: to cut to a predetermined height-leaving stubbed remains.

When you reduce the top to good laterals you may have pruned the top severely but it hasn't been "topped".