The world of arboriculture (tree stuff) is loaded with all manner of terminology, so it’s no wonder why many people find themselves lost and confused when it comes to caring for the trees on their property. Case and point: what’s the difference between lopping, topping, coppicing, and pollarding?
Read on if you’d like to find out more about the important distinctions between these four tree care and maintenance techniques.
What is lopping?
Lopping a tree refers to the process of removing branches from the tree in order to modify its size and shape. This is an invasive aesthetic manipulation technique that can be very detrimental to the tree’s health. The fact is, if you prune off more than 25% of a tree’s foliage in a single year, it can put the tree through significant and unnecessary trauma. Not only does this render a tree bare and unsightly, but it can make the tree more susceptible to disease, decay, and infestation.
Not to be confused with pruning, lopping is largely misunderstood and many people who have their trees lopped in order to reduce its size are almost always disappointed with the results.
What is topping?
Topping a tree refers to the process of removing the very top of the central stem of a tree (aka the leader), including the upper main branches.
These are typically sheared off in uniform height in order to stifle the growth of a tree and keep it below a certain height. The result is often a very unsightly tree with thin, upright branches (aka water sprouts).
This is a dangerous method and is not good for the tree’s health. In fact, topping a tree not only spoils the natural landscape, but it makes the tree more susceptible to disease, decay, and infestation.
What is coppicing?
Coppicing a tree refers to a pruning technique where trees or shrubs are cut to ground level, stimulating the regeneration of new stems from the base of the plant. This technique is most commonly used for renovating and rejuvenating old shrubs.
Coppicing a tree or shrub is ideal for the following outcomes:
- Creating a multi-stemmed shrub as opposed to a large single-trunk tree.
- Producing fresh stems on shrubs that have vibrant winter stem colour (e.g., some Willows).l
- Encourages the growth of larger leaves on certain species of tree (e.g., Catalpa).
- It can encourage the growth of smaller ‘juvenile’ leaves on certain tree species (e.g., Eucalyptus).
- Produces ‘woody’ stems that are ideal for harvesting firewood and/or creating charcoal.
- Ideal for renovating and rejuvenating old shrubs and hedges that can tolerate extensive pruning (e.g., Yew / Beech).
While coppicing a tree sounds quite savage—cutting a tree back right to its base—it can bring many benefits for certain species of tree. Just make sure that you consult your local arborist before you commit to coppicing a tree to ensure that coppicing is the right approach (and that none of your trees are on a protected species list).
What is pollarding?
Pollarding a tree is a pruning method that keeps trees and shrubs from growing taller than they naturally grow. This is typically started once a tree or shrub has reached a certain height—at which point regular annual pollarding is carried out in order to restrict the plant’s height.
This is typically done annually and will need to be carried out again every few years in order to avoid any potential issues.
Pollarding a tree can be ideal if you want to achieve the following results:
- It can prevent trees and shrubs from outgrowing their allotted space (perfect if you have limited space in your garden).
- Pollarding can be utilised to reduce the amount of shade cast by a tree.
- It can also be useful in situations where street lights, electric wires, or other public utilities are being obstructed.
Pollarding isn’t suitable for all tree species. Here are some examples of the type of species that can benefit from pollarding:
- Ash
- Elm
- Gum
- Oak
- Tulip Tree.
Lopping Vs. Topping Vs. Coppicing Vs. Pollarding
As you can see, lopping and topping are both poor practices intended to reduce a tree in size. Ultimately, coppicing and pollarding are arborist-approved techniques that are far more effective methods for controlling the overall size and shape of a tree.
Alternatively, if you wish to reduce a tree in size you should consider regular pruning over a longer period of time. While this is certainly far slower, it won’t result in the tree’s eventual decline.
Lopping and topping are both very risky and unnecessary tree ‘maintenance’ methods. For example, if you are in a rush to have them reduced in size (for example, if you want more sunlight coming into your home, etc.), then you should consider having the tree relocated and planting a smaller species in its place.
Of course, relocating a tree is a complicated process that involves excavating the root system and re-planting it in a more suitable location, however, with the expert help of an experienced arborist, it’s within the realms of possibility and won’t result in a damaged or dying tree.
Final thoughts
To sum up:
- Tree lopping is a harmful method of removing branches from a tree in order to modify its size and shape.
- Topping a tree refers to the harmful process of removing the very top of the central stem of a tree (aka the leader), including the upper main branches.
- Coppicing a tree refers to a pruning technique where trees or shrubs are cut to ground level, stimulating the regeneration of new stems from the base of the plant.
- Pollarding a tree is a pruning method that keeps trees and shrubs from growing taller than they naturally grow.
- Lopping & topping are generally dangerous and not recommended, whereas coppicing and pollarding can be great for certain species of tree.
- Ultimately, the best approach is often gradual pruning by an experienced arborist.
