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Why Topping Hemlock Hedges Creates Hazardous Trees

Hemlocks are trees, not hedges. Topping (Dr. Alex Shigo): 1) Invites pervasive rot the tree can't wall off. 2) Starves the tree by removing food-making leaves. 3) Produces weakly attached regrowth that fails in storms. 4) Creates dense, wind-catching crowns prone to blowdown.

Selective thinning preserves health and structure. Topping is the worst arboricultural practice.

Trees: Topping a Sycamore: Don't Do It—Remove and Replace; Pruning an Overgrown Weeping Cherry; Black Locusts Topped to 5-Foot Stumps: Will They Survive?; Topped Hemlock Recovery: What to Expect After Improper Pruning; Leyland Cypress Topping: Bad for Trees, Negotiate Removal Instead; Minor Tree Trimming: Preventive Care for Long-Term Tree Health; Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): Versatile Evergreen for Challenging Sites; Tree Trimming Tips by Species: Oak, Apple & Pine Specific Guidance; Why Tree Topping Is Harmful: The Case for Proper Pruning; Tree Trimming Tools: Selection, Safety & Technique

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