Caring for your trees is an important part of yard maintenance. Without the right care, your trees could become sick and weak. Increasing the chances of falling branches or toppling trunks. In order to avoid these dangers you might find yourself wondering whether you need to prune or lop your tree.
Pruning and lopping are different tree-cutting techniques that have distinct purposes. Depending on your needs, they each have different benefits for your yard. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between the two, and why you would employ them.
For personalised advice, contact our team at Uppercut Tree Services today.
What is Tree Lopping
Tree lopping is when the branches of a tree are trimmed or cut back to reduce the tree or change its size. Tree lopping usually involves cutting back or removing entire sections of your tree to control growth.
Tree lopping should only be conducted by a professional. As it involves heavy and dangerous equipment, attempting to lop your tree alone can result in unwanted accidents. Likewise, a professional can identify which areas to target for optimal results while avoiding over-cutting.
If too much of your tree is lopped, you could prevent it from getting vital nutrients. This could result in your tree sickening or dying, becoming an eyesore for your yard, or forcing you to get a removal.
Lateral Lopping
There are a few different methods professionals can employ when tree lopping. The first is lateral lopping. Lateral lopping is when tree branches are growing too close to a structure, like buildings or signs. Lateral lopping cuts the tree branches back to the main branch, to prevent them from impacting the structures.
Pollarding Lopping
Pollarding Lopping is when the upper branches of a tree are cut back to create a compact crown. This is ideal for small spaces, encouraging growth while maintaining a specific size and shape. This type of lopping is usually only used on young or smaller trees, as they are less likely to be negatively impacted.
Deadwood Removal Lopping
Deadwood removal lopping is a lopping method focused entirely on removing dead branches. Dead branches quickly become hazards if left unattended. Having them removed by professionals is the best way to ensure the safety of your home.
Benefits of Tree Lopping
There are many different benefits to tree lopping, depending on your needs. If your tree’s branches have grown too high, they could begin to tangle with or damage your gutters. Strategically lopping the branches can help protect your property. By removing sections of your tree, you can train it to grow away from these areas to prevent future problems.
Likewise, if your tree is struggling to grow in size, it may be weighed down by dying or dead branches. Removing these branches allows the tree to focus its energy on growing new, healthy branches. This treatment can help your yard look vibrant and healthy.
If your tree is growing too large, in an unattractive way, or is blocking your view, lopping can help you control its shape, ensuring your tree complements your home.
What is Tree Pruning
Tree Pruning is the act of removing damaged or diseased sections of a tree to ensure its health. Pruning is usually less intensive than lopping, as it focuses on cutting and trimming smaller branches to encourage growth.
When it comes to pruning there is a range of different techniques that professionals use to get the desired effect. Here we will explore these different techniques.
Crown Lifting
Crown lifting is when the lower branches of a tree are removed. This is used to give the trunk of the tree more height, creating a more aesthetically pleasing shape. This allows you to maintain the beautiful foliage of your tree while removing sections that impede movement or vision.
Crown Reduction
Crown reduction is the process of thinning the foliage of the highest branches. This is used so that the overall structure of the tree is not impacted while encouraging new growth. If you are dealing with dense foliage, crown reduction can help reduce the potential waste, without impacting the look of your tree.
Crown Thinning
Crown thinning is the removal of select branches along the tree’s crown. This technique is often used to allow light to break through the canopy and encourage air to circulate. This is another pruning technique that can improve the aesthetic of your trees without impacting their integrity or shape.
Benefits of Tree Pruning
Tree pruning has many different benefits for your trees. Tree pruning is one of the best methods to prevent diseases. By targeting unhealthy branches, you can prevent your trees from becoming sick while encouraging healthier growth.
Pruning, though not as extensive as lopping, is often a great way of removing damaged or dead branches. If you have experienced intense storms or high winds that have impacted your tree, pruning can help get it back on track. This is a great way to protect your home against risk.
Likewise, pruning encourages overall growth. This can increase the production of foliage or fruit depending on your tree, as well as impact the overall look of your garden. If you want a healthy tree, that complements your home, strategic pruning could be what you need.
Risks of Tree Pruning and Lopping
There are a few risks to tree lopping or pruning without a professional. Pruning or lopping your tree at home opens you to personal risk. Tree maintenance involves heavy and dangerous equipment, usually at height. Without the right safety methods and equipment, you are at a higher risk of falls and injury.
Likewise, if you don’t have the right supervision you could cause branches to break or fall, injuring you or someone else. Professionals are able to mitigate this risk and complete your tree cuttings efficiently.
Pruning or lopping your tree without a professional not only puts you at risk but can negatively impact your trees. A professional is able to assess your trees to determine which branches should be cut to meet your goals, whether that be controlling the shape, encouraging growth or ensuring its health.
Cutting the wrong branch can cause large wounds to open in your tree that they can struggle to heal. This opens them up to the risk of further decay or infection. This decay can spread through your tree, killing it over time.
Similarly, if too much foliage is removed, your tree can be exposed to potential sunburn and lack of nutrients. Without the protection from its leaves, trees can be more exposed to the sun resulting in dried-out, splitting bark and dying limbs. A professional is able to determine how much foliage can be removed without negatively impacting your tree, ensuring its health.
Tree Lopping or Pruning
Tree pruning and lopping are tried and true methods of tree maintenance. They both have different purposes and benefits when it comes to managing your trees. But how do you know which one is right for you?
If your tree isn’t growing the way you want, or you’ve noticed branches dying, a professional can determine which method is best for you. At Uppercut Tree Services, we have an expert team who know all the best methods to get the best results. With qualified arborists and professionals, we can provide safe and reliable tree services for anyone in the Mornington Peninsula.
If you want your trees to look stunning and healthy, our services are here for you.
