In trimming trees, what is topping considered to be?

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Topping is considered a harmful practice because it involves cutting the upper portions of a tree's branches, often resulting in an unnatural shape and significant stress on the tree. This method removes the tree's leader and can lead to a variety of complications. After topping, trees may develop weakly attached branches that are more susceptible to breaking, which poses safety risks. Additionally, topping can stimulate excessive growth of shoots, known as "water sprouts," which can create an even more unruly shape and drain energy from the tree that could otherwise be used for healthy growth. This practice does not promote the long-term health of the tree and often expedites its decline. The goal of tree trimming should be to maintain the tree's natural structure and health, making topping inconsistent with best practices in arboriculture.

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