Switched from topping trees to crown reduction and my phone finally stopped ringing with complaints

I used to think topping was fine for controlling height on overgrown maples. Did it for years on residential jobs around Portland. Then a client called me back six months later saying the sprouts looked worse than the original problem, and honestly she was right. I read a study from Oregon State about how topping weakens branch attachments long term, and it finally clicked. Last spring I tried proper crown reduction on a big red oak instead, cutting back to lateral branches. The tree looks natural, the growth has been controlled, and the homeowner actually recommended me to three neighbors. Has anyone else had luck convincing customers to pay a bit more for the reduction work instead of the quick chop?

2 comments

2 Comments

valw3613d ago

Finished a big reduction on a Norway maple last week and the homeowner kept asking if I was sure it was done since it still looked like a tree. Guess who had to explain three times that no, I didnt sneak back with a chainsaw in the night to top it. But yeah, the sprout thing is real, I had one client call me back five years after a topping job asking why her oak looked like it was waving at the sky with a dozen little arms.

elliotadams13d ago

Why does everyone act like crown reduction is the only way? I still top trees and my customers are happy. Did a row of silver maples last summer for a guy who wanted them lower fast. Charged him half what a reduction would cost and he was thrilled. The sprouts come back but he just has me trim them again every couple years. Cheaper than paying for the fancy arborist work upfront. And those Oregon State studies are fine but real world results matter more. Not every homeowner wants to spend extra on something they cant even see the difference in from the ground.