Please Don't Top Trees Urban Forestry Information Urban Forest Management Division Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Fairfax County, Virginia Summer 2013

1. Urban Forestry
Information
Urban Forest Management Division
Department of Public Works and
Environmental Services
Fairfax County, Virginia
Summer 2013
Please Don’t ‘Top’ Trees

2. Please Don’t Top Trees
• Tree topping means cutting back large branches or
stems, usually at the top of the tree
• Cutting off a large
portion of the tree will
harm the tree and may
cause it to die

3. Please Don’t Top Trees
• Tree topping may cause
property values to drop
• Topping causes wood decay
• Once this improper cutting
is done, large, open wounds
may subject the tree to invasion
by harmful insects and diseases
• Fewer leaves or the reduction
of leaf surface may cause damage to the root system

4. Please Don’t Top Trees
• Without the full complement of leaves, a tree
cannot process nutrients and water into the
food sources it needs for proper growth and
development
• It may be more costly and dangerous to remove
a tree that has been topped than a tree that dies
from natural causes
• A tree that has been topped may die

5. There Are Other
Names for the
Practice of Tree
Topping:
• stubbing
• heading
• tipping
• hat racking
• lopping
• roundover

6. Topping is
Detrimental
No matter what the name
of the practice may be,
topping is detrimental to
the tree
The row of trees on this
country road have been
severely topped

7. A Topped Tree Is Easy To See
• The natural shape
of the tree has
been destroyed
• The tree on the
left has been
topped
• The tree on the
right has a more
natural shape

8. A Topped Tree Is Easy To See
• Topped trees require
more attention in the
future
• Topped trees are
more expensive in
the long run

9. Topped Trees May Become a Hazard
• Topped trees send out
shoots that are weakly
attached to the tree
• A topped tree may die
and become a hazard

10. Topped Trees May Lower Property Values
• Topped trees need to be topped again and again
• Topping will not invigorate a tree

11. Professionally Pruned Trees Look as if No
Work Has Been Done
• Proper pruning is an important
part of caring for and protecting
the health of a tree
• An arborist carefully selects
and removes branches,
maintaining the natural shape
and beauty of the tree
• The pictured tree has been
damaged by topping

12. To Find a Professional Arborist
When searching for a tree care company and
before making a selection, please consider:
• certification or credentials
• professional affiliations
• insurance
• references
• estimates

13. The International Society of
Arboriculture (ISA) encourages tree
care companies to have ISA-certified
professionals on staff
• To find a professional arborist visit the
International Society of Arboriculture
webpage at
www.isa-arbor.com/publicOutreach/findATreeCareService/index.aspx

14. For more information about trees call or email the
staff of the Urban Forest Management Division
Public Works and Environmental Services
Fairfax County
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
703-324-1770, TTY 711
email pestmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/trees.htm
A Fairfax County, Virginia publication Summer 2013
Thank you.