Search for a tree service in Wollongong and you will see “tree lopping” everywhere. Many people use lopping and pruning to mean the same thing, but to an arborist they are quite different jobs, with very different results for the tree. Here is what each one means, and how to work out what your tree actually needs.
What is tree lopping?
Traditionally, lopping means cutting large branches or the top of a tree back to a stub, without regard to where the tree would naturally heal. It is a fast way to make a tree smaller, which is why it is still commonly asked for.
The problem is what happens next. Large stub cuts leave wounds the tree struggles to seal, which can let in decay. Many trees respond by sending out a mass of fast, weakly attached shoots, which can grow back thicker than before and are more likely to break in strong winds.
What is tree pruning?
Pruning is selective. Branches are removed at the right point, usually back to a branch collar or a suitable side branch, so the tree can seal the wound and keep a sound structure. Done properly, pruning can:
- remove dead, diseased or crossing branches
- reduce the height or spread of a tree while keeping its natural shape
- lift the canopy to clear roofs, driveways and paths
- thin the canopy to let light and wind through
In Australia, the standard for this work is AS 4373, Pruning of amenity trees. Our pruning work follows it.
Why the difference matters
The right cut keeps a tree healthier and safer for longer. Poor cuts can leave it more likely to drop limbs, which is the opposite of what most people want when they ask for a tree to be cut back. Good pruning also tends to need doing less often, because the tree is not racing to regrow.
Which one does your tree need?
When people ask us for “lopping”, they usually want one of a few outcomes:
- A smaller tree: crown reduction pruning brings the size down while keeping the tree’s shape.
- Branches off the roof or gutters: selective pruning or crown lifting clears the building.
- More light into the yard: canopy thinning lets light through without removing the tree.
- A tree that feels unsafe: deadwooding removes hazardous dead limbs, and a tree assessment can tell you whether the tree is sound.
Sometimes a tree is in the wrong place or too far gone, and tree removal is the better option. An arborist can talk you through it onsite.
Do you need council approval to prune?
Often, yes. In Wollongong, pruning a branch more than 10 cm in diameter, or working on a tree over 5 metres tall, generally needs council permission. Our guide to council approval for tree work in Wollongong covers the details.
Pruning and tree work across the Illawarra
Arborcare Tree Maintenance is based in Dapto and works across Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Illawarra. Our team includes AQF3 and AQF5 qualified arborists, and every job starts with a free onsite quote.
Request a free quote or call 1300 673 407.
Frequently asked questions
Is tree lopping bad for trees?
Cutting large branches back to stubs can lead to decay and weak regrowth. Selective pruning to AS 4373 is usually the better way to reduce a tree’s size.
Can a lopped tree be fixed?
Often it can be improved over time with corrective pruning, which selects the strongest new shoots and removes the weaker ones. An arborist will need to look at the tree.
How often should trees be pruned?
It depends on the species, growth rate and location. Many trees benefit from pruning every one to two years.