Kevin McFarland Letter Page 1
Memo
To: Chris Vaccaro, City of Yelm Building Official
From: Kevin M. McFarland, ISA Certified Arborist
Date: 2/1/2019
Re: Topping of Trees at 509 & 509A E. Yelm Ave.
Upon your request, I have reviewed the “pruning’ of birch and red maples trees that has recently
occurred within 509 & 509A E. Yelm Ave. I have been asked to provide my opinion as to whether the
trees have been severely topped and if replacement is recommended.
Topping, also known as hat racking, height reduction, canopy reduction heading back or stubbing back
is defined as pruning that removes a terminal shoot back to a point where there is no appropriate lateral
branch to take over the terminal role. In response to these cuts, multiple shoots or leaders begin to
compete for dominance. This creates a high-maintenance, potentially hazardous tree that must be
constantly pruned. If the shoots are not removed, these weakly attached branches continue to grow in
girth and weight with the increasing potential of failure and damage to people or property.
Health issues known to be associated with topping include sun damage, nutrient stress, pest
establishment and decay due to the incorrect pruning cuts.
It is my opinion that these trees have most definitely been pruned in a way that can be described as
topping as defined in the City of Yelm’s municipal code Chapter 18.57 and the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 (Part) – 2017, 8.6 and 10.60. There is the possibility that these trees
will survive. However, the pruning that has been established will eventually lead to the demise of these
trees and I recommend they be removed and replaced.
SOUND URBAN FORESTRY, LLC SUF