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Simi valley, ca

I got this pine tree close to house & want to thin it out & (shorten or top it) But do not want to loose it ether ! Can they always be topped successively , I know it can be done to some degree iv seen it !! Thanks !!

3/26/2009 1:06:42 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

I have seen people top trees and what happens is that the side branches start to fight to become lead branch.

Instead of one main lead u will have several branches try to be lead.

Plus the side branches will grow up.

I have never seen a toping of a pine tree i liked. But that is just my opinion. I have seen other trees being toed that looked good. but I am sure some of the other growers may have had better luck.

3/26/2009 12:18:15 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

when you cut the top out the side braches will grow upwards and compete to be the top. then you end up with an s shaped tree. which could become a danger tree in about 20 years. if you are looking to have a short tree i would reccommend cutting it down and replacing it one that will grow to the desired hieght you want. if you top it because of a height issue you will probably be topping it again every 3-4 years eventually it will die.

3/27/2009 4:43:55 AM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Due to a storm,I lost the top of a pine that was planted near my house. A side branch took the lead and it grew back perfect

3/27/2009 9:12:18 AM