Question 1

​Can you fix a tree that has been "topped"?

Accepted Answer

Can you fix a tree that has been "topped"?

Yes, but it is a process, not a quick fix. When a tree is topped, it reacts by growing rapid, weakly attached shoots called "water sprouts." We cannot simply cut them all off, or the tree may starve. Instead, we use restorative pruning to select the strongest sprouts to become new branches and gradually suppress the others over time, training the tree back to a stable structure.

Question 2

How long does the restoration process take?

Accepted Answer

Restoring a damaged tree is a marathon, not a sprint. Depending on the severity of the damage and the species of the tree, the process typically takes 3 to 5 pruning cycles spread out over several years. We have to move at the tree's pace to avoid causing further stress or inviting decay.

Question 3

What is the difference between maintenance pruning and restoration?

Accepted Answer

Maintenance pruning is for healthy trees—it maintains their shape and health. Restorative pruning is like "reconstructive surgery" for trees that have lost their natural structure. It requires specific technical knowledge of tree biology and hormones to rebuild the tree’s architecture and re-establish a central leader.

Question 4

My tree lost its top in a storm. Is the repair process the same?

Accepted Answer

Essentially, yes. While "topping" is a bad human practice and storm damage is natural, the physiological result is similar: the tree has lost its central leader. We treat storm-damaged trees by cleaning up the jagged tears (which attract pests) and then selecting a new vertical branch to train as the replacement leader, guiding the tree back to a natural form over time.

Question 5

Is restorative pruning more expensive than regular trimming?

Accepted Answer

It can be, primarily because it requires a higher level of expertise and multiple visits over several years. However, when you compare the cost of restoration to the high cost of removing a large, mature tree—and the loss of property value that comes with losing that tree—restoration is often the most cost-effective investment for a high-value landscape tree.

Restorative Pruning After the Storm in Norman and Central Oklahoma

Help your trees recover with expert pruning services.

Benefits of Restorative Pruning

Correcting Past Damage & Topping

Re-establishing the Central Leader

Selective Sprout Management

A Multi-Year Strategy

Revitalize Your Trees Today

Schedule professional restorative pruning with Tree Wizard for healthier, safer trees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Restorative Pruning

Get answers to common questions about our pruning services.

Can you fix a tree that has been "topped"?

How long does the restoration process take?

What is the difference between maintenance pruning and restoration?

My tree lost its top in a storm. Is the repair process the same?

Is restorative pruning more expensive than regular trimming?

Restorative Pruning After the Storm in Norman and Central Oklahoma

Help your trees recover with expert pruning services.

Benefits of Restorative Pruning

Correcting Past Damage & Topping

Re-establishing the Central Leader

Selective Sprout Management

A Multi-Year Strategy

Revitalize Your Trees Today

Schedule professional restorative pruning with Tree Wizard for healthier, safer trees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Restorative Pruning

Get answers to common questions about our pruning services.

Question

​Can you fix a tree that has been "topped"?

Question

How long does the restoration process take?

Question

What is the difference between maintenance pruning and restoration?

Question

My tree lost its top in a storm. Is the repair process the same?

Question

Is restorative pruning more expensive than regular trimming?

Can you fix a tree that has been "topped"?