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Topping damage
A look inside a tree topped several years ago reveals some of the problems with topping. Note 1) the brown decay that begins just behind the topping cut, 2) the discontinuity of structure as shown by the abrupt ending of the wood at the cut, and 3) the barrier zone indicated by the arrows on the left. The barrier zone can be the source of cracks that develop inside the tree making it less strong.
