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    <h1>Tree Lopping vs Pruning: What's the Difference and Why It Matters</h1>
    <p class="hero-sub">Both involve cutting branches — but the technique and result are completely different. Here's what t...</p>
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  <span>Tree Lopping vs Pruning: What's the Difference and Why It Matters</span>
</div><p class="blog-intro" style="font-size:1.08rem;font-weight:500;color:var(--dark);margin-bottom:32px;line-height:1.7;">Both involve cutting branches — but the technique and result are completely different. Here's what to ask for (and what to avoid).</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">What lopping actually is</h2><p>Lopping cuts branches mid-span, leaving a stub. The stub has no bark to seal the wound — it dries, dies back, and creates a decay column into the main trunk. The tree's response is to produce vigorous water shoots (epicormic growth) from below the cut — dense, fast-growing, weakly attached branches that need constant removal.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">What correct pruning looks like</h2><p>Correct pruning removes branches at the branch collar — the slightly raised area where the branch attaches to the trunk. This is the tree's natural wound response zone. A collar cut seals cleanly. The tree produces a callus ring that gradually covers the wound.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">The Australian standard</h2><p>AS4373-2007 (Pruning of Amenity Trees) is the Australian standard for tree pruning. It specifies cut placement, acceptable removal ratios (generally no more than 30% of live crown per season), and techniques for different pruning types. Arborists who follow AS4373 don't lop.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">Why does it matter for your tree?</h2><p>A lopped tree requires constant management — the dense epicormic regrowth comes back faster than the original growth, creates shading, and is structurally weaker. A correctly pruned tree heals its wounds, maintains structural integrity, and requires less intervention over time.</p><h2 style="margin-top:36px;margin-bottom:14px;">What to ask your arborist</h2><p>Ask whether they prune to AS4373. Ask where they make cuts — collar cuts or mid-branch. Ask about the maximum canopy removal per season. These questions will quickly tell you whether you're dealing with a qualified arborist or someone with a chainsaw and a truck.</p><div style="margin-top:36px;padding:20px;background:var(--green-light);border-radius:var(--radius);"><p style="margin:0;font-size:0.92rem;"><strong>Need a tree arborist in Brisbane?</strong> Call <a href="tel:0474011120" style="color:var(--green);font-weight:700;">0474 011 120</a> or <a href="contact.php" style="color:var(--green);font-weight:700;">fill in our quote form</a>. Same-day response, Mon–Sat 7am–6pm.</p></div></div><div><div class="card" style="padding:24px;position:sticky;top:100px;"><h4 style="margin-bottom:16px;">Get a Free Quote</h4><p style="font-size:0.9rem;color:var(--text-light);margin-bottom:16px;">Call or text photos for a same-day quote across Brisbane's north and east.</p><a href="tel:0474011120" class="btn btn-primary" style="width:100%;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:10px;">📞 0474 011 120</a><a href="contact.php" class="btn btn-outline" style="width:100%;justify-content:center;">Online Quote Form</a><hr style="margin:20px 0;border:none;border-top:1px solid var(--border);"><h4 style="margin-bottom:12px;">More Articles</h4><a href="blog-how-much-does-tree-removal-cost-brisbane-2026.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Brisbane in 2026?</a><a href="blog-8-signs-tree-needs-removing-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">8 Warning Signs Your Brisbane Tree Needs to Come Down</a><a href="blog-brisbane-city-council-tree-removal-permits-guide.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Brisbane City Council Tree Removal Permits: A Plain-English Guide</a><a href="blog-cocos-palm-removal-brisbane-guide.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Cocos Palm Removal Brisbane: Cost, Council Rules, and What to Expect</a><a href="blog-brisbane-tree-removal-do-i-need-permit.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Brisbane?</a><a href="blog-what-is-an-arborist-report-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">What Is an Arborist Report and When Do You Need One in Brisbane?</a><a href="blog-how-long-does-tree-removal-take-brisbane.php" style="font-size:0.85rem;color:var(--green);display:block;padding:4px 0;">How Long Does Tree Removal Take? A Brisbane Homeowner's Guide</a></div></div></div></div></section><section class="section--sm">
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