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Re: How do you discourage topping?
mmeyers@taconic.net
Mon, 15 Dec 1997 04:38:52 -0600
I discourage topping as much as possible, however,
here's a senario I came across this past week; and, I've
seen this many other times.
The local school district has a 60' chestnut tree in
front of it and 35' up there is a hollow/rotten spot so bad
that the top 25' is only supported by 1/3rd of the trunk.
The superintendant only wants the top out of it, short term
safety at best. I'm trying to get him and the rest of the
councilmen to take down the rest of the tree, as it's hollow
all the way to the ground and it's the right thing to do.
However, the tree is quite old and they don't want to take
it all the way down YET. For safety's sake I have taken the
top out of it already, now I have to convince them to take
it the rest of the way down. Would any of you not take
this job?
This is'nt the only time I've come across this. Many
things can kill the top of a tree (i.e. lightening, disease,
wind, etc.). And if the tree is important to the customer
they may not want the whole thing removed. Often they
understand that they should take the whole tree down, but
don't want to do so just yet as they have an attachment to
said tree. Do you still refuse the job? Even when there's
a hazard to property or life?
Myself, I'll do the job, but I follow-up on a regular
basis. Checking on the tree and continually trying to
persuade the customer remove the rest of the tree.
Michael Meyers (being as professional as possible)
P.S. Anyone who asks me to top a tree just to shape or
change it's height get's flat out refused if they insist
after I've explained the ramifications of topping.