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Residents warn against topping while assessing Missoula street tree
Summary
Public commenters described a large, possibly century-old street tree in Missoula, recounted trimming done about a decade ago to reduce branches over the street, and cautioned that “topping” trees is a harmful practice that can make trees more dangerous over time.
A resident who identified themselves as someone who works in trees described a large street tree in Missoula as likely more than 100 years old and urged against the common practice of “topping,” saying it can make healthy trees more hazardous over time.
The speaker said trimming was done about 10 years ago because branches overhung the street and residents worried they could fall in wind. They also traced the tree’s origins to an old country lane and suggested the tree had been there since Missoula’s early development.
“That was an old country lane, as Missoula was developed,” Resident 3 said. “It would probably put it over a hundred years that way.”
The commenter described the routine industry practice of topping trees — cutting the upper branches off to reduce height — as a misguided remedy that often worsens tree safety. “This idea of topping trees is something that really should be addressed because, it's a bad practice ingrained in our culture,” Resident 3 said. The speaker added that some firms frighten homeowners about perceived danger to generate business and that topped trees can become more dangerous a decade after the procedure.
By the time crews complete their assessment work, the speaker said, they expect to have “a good understanding of the total health of the tree.” The speaker contrasted the subject tree with other trees of similar age and smaller size that are in poor condition, and said that ample water can make some trees grow quickly.
Comments about the tree appeared during the meeting’s public-comment portion; no formal board action, motion, or vote related to tree trimming or a preservation order was presented during the recorded segments.
The remarks emphasized homeowner concern for wind-driven branch failure, past trimming roughly 10 years ago, and a preference for preserving the tree’s life where possible rather than using topping as a corrective measure.
