Once a tree is lopped it's natural form will have been destroyed and any attempts to restore it to it's previous beauty would be extremely difficult, if at all possible. A lopped tree represents an ongoing problem and expense because other than the risk factor, the epicormic growth will require repeated pruning to keep it under control.

In summary...

Tree lopping is a short term solution thought to overcome the problem of height and/or spread of the tree. It results in a tree which looks ugly, is vulnerable to decay, less sound, more expensive to maintain and could even die. Sound pruning or even removal and replacing it with a more appropriate sized new tree is the valid choice.

Lopping or Topping a tree is considered Professional Malpractice according to International Arboricultural Standards. It is possible to seek legal compensation for this abuse.

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