Why Topping Damages Trees

 

Topping is the indiscriminate cutting back or removal of tops or branches of trees, often leaving stubs and flush cuts. This is normally done because the owner has decided that the tree has become too large for it`s space but does not want the removal of the whole tree.

Most consiensious tree surgeons will refuse to top any deciduous trees. In some cases it may be acceptable to top certain species of conifers or hedge trees.

Topping can cause many problems for a tree. Topping wounds expose the heart wood. The heart wood is the "non living" centre of the tree which acts as a skeleton to the tree. Because the wood is non living it lacks the defense mechanisms the live wood has. Consequentially the tree is exposed to infection from the many heart decay fungi. Often the remaining stub will die back after topping.

Topping also removes the apical buds on the tops and branch tips of the tree. Removal of apical buds cause the tree to produce a large quantity of new growth known as epicormic shoots or water shoots. Epicormic shoots are poorly attached to the stem and can split out more easily, they also grow very quickly.

Topping therefore results in a tree which firstly looks ugly and secondly is covered in a mass of badly attached shoots and often has large decay cavities. Trees that have been topped in the past often become dangerous or die completely. It can take many decades to carefully prune a tree back into a reasonable condition once it has been topped.

There are alternatives to topping. Sometimes tree removal and replanting may be the best option. Often a careful combination of other tree surgery techniques such as crown reduction, thinning or raising can arrive at a satisfactory result.

For a free consultation please contact us.

 

Encouraging wildlife into your garden

With recent fashions for manicured landscaped gardens incorporating decking, gravel and other such materials the amount of available habitat for wildlife in towns, cities and even in rural areas is rapidly diminishing. It is therefore more important than ever that those who are interested and care about wildlife take steps to increase habitat in their gardens. Not everyone has loads of space. My garden is currently about 3.5 by 3.5 metres; however, even in such a small space there are plenty of things that can be done to encourage garden visitors. The following are just some ideas to get your garden teeming with life.

Water

A small pond or pool will provide water to drink and a home for amphibious creatures. Small moulded ponds are easily available.

Deadwood

Dead wood makes excellent habitat. Deadwood on the ground is good, standing dead wood is even better. In my garden I have a few logs hidden under plants and shrubs which are just left to rot, as they do so they become home to all manner of insects which in turn are food to birds and other insects.

Standing dead wood should be left as long as is possible and safe. If a tree is dead or dying then leave some or all of it to rot away as a stump or monolith (a large stump). A flowering climber can turn an old tree into an attractive feature. Don`t over manicure trees, leave some dead wood on, it will do the tree no harm.

Make a compost heap

Compost heaps make excellent places for all kinds of wildlife. The heat generated by decomposing vegetable matter creates a warm place to live. Spreading compost on your garden enriches the soil and enriched soil is home to many worms and other creatures. Also, your plants will grow better so it a win win situation. Just make sure you leave meat and fish out or you will attract vermin.

Flowers, nectar and seeds or berries

Choose species that are useful to wildlife for much of the year. Hawthorn, for example, produces much needed early nectar with its profusion of white flowers in the spring followed by bright berries for birds in the later summer.

Make a wild corner

The easiest thing of all is a wild corner. All you need to do is leave it alone. It doesn`t have to be very big. An undisturbed corner can be home to all manner of small mammals, insects and birds.

Bee Home

 

Creating garden habitat for bees in especially important. Bees are declining at an alarming rate. We can all do something to help. The following are links to useful sites:

 

http://www.insectpix.net/Homes_for_bees.htm

http://www.insectpix.net/Food_for_Bees.htm

 

 

Bird Box

 

Bird boxes can easily be attached to a wall, tree or post. There are different types and sizes of box available depending which types of bird you wish to attract.

 

Bird Table

Feed the birds. There are many different types of bird feeders suited to different species. Make sure you buy special bird food and store it properly as poor quality bird food can cause problems for our feathered friends.

Plant Native

 

Planting native species will encourage native wildlife. Be it trees, shrubs, perennials or annuals, a native is always better for the wildlife.

 

Excellent Wildlife Plants

 

These are just a few suggestions, there are many more.

 

Trees

Goat Willow

Blackthorn

Hawthorne

Flowering cherries

Plum

Pear

Apple

 

Shrubs

Lilac

Buddleia

Pyracantha

Lavender

Heather

 

 

Small flowering plants

Primrose

Foxgloves

Poppies

Cowslips

Purple Toadflax

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildbritain/gardenwildlife/toptips.shtml