There are some ‘tree services’ with very nice bucket trucks, chippers,chip trucks and stump grinders. They look professional, don’t they? Well, sometimes appearances can be deceiving. Following are pictures of recent hack jobs. Two of the trees are sugar maples in Sandpoint, and the other a Norway maple in Bonners Ferry.

I’ve observed these sugar maples over many years. Lovely trees, yet showing some signs of decline in recent years, likely a result of being located next to a road and driveway. There are treatments which may restore some of their lost vigor, such as mulching.

Anti-topping speech….skip to the photos if you get bored.

Unfortunately, the trees were topped. Topping is an old, discredited practice which may cause many problems for the tree. Each wound is an entry point for harmful insects and pathogens. Trees respond to wounds by converting stored energy reserves into pathogen resistant barriers, attempting to wall off the affected area. This is called compartmentalization. It’s energy intensive. Lots of wounds, such as you see in the pictures, mean lots of compartmentalization. This depletes the stored energy reserves in the tree. Not good for an already stressed tree! Much of the canopy has been lost (leaves are the energy/food source for the tree via photosynthesis).  The maples will develop sprouts around each cut trying replace what’s been lost. Instead of one branch, there will now be several. Or not,…..resulting in an unsightly dead stub. The sprouts grow quickly the first year, and less so in succeeding years. They often develop weak branch attachments which can lead to future hazards. Topped trees are ugly, especially in winter.

So why do “supposed”professionals continue this ancient, destructive and thoroughly discredited practice of tree topping ? $$$? You decide.

What’s the lesson. Check their credential’s. An ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (me), or an ISA Certified Arborist are both required to sign a code of ethics. It’s not a total guarantee of ethical behavior, but a place to start. As a test, ask if they top trees. If the answer is yes, send them down the road.

Last fall I had the good fortune to assist in the installation of a video cam above a bald eagle nest  on the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR). The nest is located about 70′ high in a black cottonwood. It’s quite large, about 5′-6′ diameter. I could have curled up for a nap on it. Presently, there are two eggs in the nest which are expected to hatch soon. You can view the action at the KNWR office. Much of the credit goes to the Friends of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge for securing grant funding and facilitating the installation. Following are a few photos of the installation.

In late July, 2012, a windstorm damaged this Ponderosa pine. At one time this pine had 2 co-dominant tops. One top had come down several years earlier in another wind event and  the remaining top was at an increased risk due to more exposure. Multiple tops in Ponderosa pines and many other species can develop bark inclusions in the crotch which are prone to failure in wind events. It’s a good idea to have your trees assessed for risk to avoid a possible catastrophic failure. The top of this tree fell into the neighbors yard, and fortunately, hung up in the other trees next to it. Children were playing in the yard just before this occurred. The following pictures are of Board Certified Master Arborist Michael safely lowering the top and taking the rest of the tree down. (All photo credits: Sarah Richardson)

We’ll be updating this in the near future with helpful information about trees and tree care.