TonyGTrees
ArboristSite Lurker
Hello
I live on a property in which two different landscapers over the years have recommended that my landlady/friend top at least some of her Norway spruces. And she now plans to top them further to reduce their size and perhaps to top some that have not yet been topped. The landscapers told her in the past that this should be done because the trees can become top heavy and fall over. This has created very odd looking trees (see photos), to say the least. I was curious about this because I have not seen a single topped spruce tree any where else in town (Bedford Hills, NY) or an surrounding towns. For example, the elementary school at the end of the tree has two huge spruces right next to the building, and those haven't been topped.
I checked 10 different sources online, including Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, all of which say that you should never top a Norway spruce or any evergreen for that matter and that doing so risks disease, insect infestation and shortened life (as well as leaving a very odd-looking tree). Two days ago, I asked a landscaper whom I saw working at the estate across the street. He looked at the trees, laughed and said he never even heard of topping Norway spruces. He pointed to the remaining non-topped spruces , which call he called "magnificent", advised me to tell my landlady not to touch them. I told her, and now she's confused about what to do. (The large branch from a non-evergreen fell on her house some years back, and she's now concerned about damage from trees).
One of the spruces she topped many years ago has seemed to spread two side branches that have grown upward, recreating the pointed top. But the other, topped ones look deformed. I'm wondering what the experts here have to say on this subject.
Many thanks for your help.
Regards,
Anthony Giorgianni
I live on a property in which two different landscapers over the years have recommended that my landlady/friend top at least some of her Norway spruces. And she now plans to top them further to reduce their size and perhaps to top some that have not yet been topped. The landscapers told her in the past that this should be done because the trees can become top heavy and fall over. This has created very odd looking trees (see photos), to say the least. I was curious about this because I have not seen a single topped spruce tree any where else in town (Bedford Hills, NY) or an surrounding towns. For example, the elementary school at the end of the tree has two huge spruces right next to the building, and those haven't been topped.
I checked 10 different sources online, including Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources, all of which say that you should never top a Norway spruce or any evergreen for that matter and that doing so risks disease, insect infestation and shortened life (as well as leaving a very odd-looking tree). Two days ago, I asked a landscaper whom I saw working at the estate across the street. He looked at the trees, laughed and said he never even heard of topping Norway spruces. He pointed to the remaining non-topped spruces , which call he called "magnificent", advised me to tell my landlady not to touch them. I told her, and now she's confused about what to do. (The large branch from a non-evergreen fell on her house some years back, and she's now concerned about damage from trees).
One of the spruces she topped many years ago has seemed to spread two side branches that have grown upward, recreating the pointed top. But the other, topped ones look deformed. I'm wondering what the experts here have to say on this subject.
Many thanks for your help.
Regards,
Anthony Giorgianni
Attachments
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Cut top tree 1 closeup.JPG78.7 KB · Views: 33
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Cut top tree 1.JPG87.6 KB · Views: 34
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Cut tops trees 4.JPG111.7 KB · Views: 31
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Cut tree 1 mid shot.JPG93.5 KB · Views: 30
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Cut tree 2 close up 2.JPG120.7 KB · Views: 31
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Not cut tree 3.JPG84.6 KB · Views: 29
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Non cut tree 5.JPG83.8 KB · Views: 29
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Cut tree 2 long shot.JPG102.6 KB · Views: 30