Lopping and Topping vs. Good Pruning

Understanding the difference between lopping/topping and proper pruning techniques is essential for maintaining healthy trees. Here’s a breakdown:

Topping: Poor Pruning

• What it is: Cutting back the tree's crown drastically, leaving stubs or small lateral branches.

• Why it’s bad:

  • Weakens the tree by removing too much of its structure.

  • Causes the tree to sprout weak, brittle growth that is more prone to breaking.

  • Leaves the tree vulnerable to pests, disease, and decay.

  • Disfigures the tree, leading to an unnatural shape.

Heavy pruning which will lead to excessive reaction growth and poor future form of the tree

Lopping: Poor Pruning

• What it is: Cutting large branches indiscriminately without considering the tree's overall health.

• Why it’s bad:

  • Weakens the tree’s natural form and structure.

  • Encourages rapid, weak growth, which can lead to poor long-term health.

  • Places stress on the tree, reducing its ability to recover and thrive.

Why These Terms Are Outdated

• The terms topping and lopping are no longer used in modern arboriculture because they describe harmful practices.

• Today, tree care professionals focus on methods like selective pruning to maintain the health and safety of trees.

Good Pruning: Selective Pruning

• What it is: Removing specific branches for the overall health of the tree while maintaining its natural shape.

• Why it’s good:

  • Removes overgrown branches: Helps manage tree size and shape by removing excess growth that can lead to overcrowding or interference with other trees.

  • Improves health: Removes dead, diseased, or weak branches to reduce the risk of decay or infection.

  • Prevents property damage: Cuts branches that may be too close to buildings, power lines, or walkways, reducing the risk of damage or accidents.

  • Reduces wind-loading and prevents branch failure: Remove or reduce over-extended branches that can become weak due to excess weight or wind stress, reducing the risk of breakage.

Summary

• Topping and lopping are outdated, harmful practices that damage trees.

  
  

  

  excessive reactional growth one year on

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Good pruning involves selective removal of overgrown, damaged, or interfering

  branches to maintain the tree’s health, structure, and safety.