Tree-topping™ in Action

When is treetopping™ carried out?
The underpinning principle of treetopping™ is to reduce the height of conifer plantations by the removal of approximately 40% of live crown depth. This immediately increases crop stability, simultaneously reducing susceptibility to future windblow, whilst maintaining tree health.

Ideally, but not exclusively, treetopping™ should be carried out immediately after thinning when the standing crop’s susceptibility to windblow is greatest. Revenue generated from the thinning operation may also help offset the cost of treetopping™. There may also be the opportunity to obtain Forestry Commission grant for improving timber quality. However, the type of plantation that will be suitable for, and will benefit from, topping will vary according to location, site conditions and crop characteristics such as age, yield class, Windthrow Hazard Class and previous thinning regime.

How is treetopping™ carried out?
WindFirm Ltd’s purpose built treetopping™ machine – currently a converted harvester - is capable of topping plantations with a top height of up to 21 metres and can leave the crop with a maximum topped height of up to 15m depending on prevailing crown depth.

WindFirm Ltd’s treetopping™ operation to reduce the height and increase the stability of a number of shelterbelts adjacent to a wind farm in Aberdeenshire was featured in the BBC Scotland “Landward” programme in January 2005.