Tree Tipping or Topping - Yes or No ?

I have a largish tree in the corner of my garden , I really need to identify it ! Every few years we have had it tipped or topped whatever the correct phrase is . That is all the branches are cut right back to the main trunk. Some sites advise against tipping .Now my questions are..........
- Should a tree be tipped ? It grows back to its same size in 2 or 3 years.
- Could it damage the tree ? It does seem a very vigorous grower
- Can it be tipped from now or wait until dormant ?

TIA

 

Interesting JWK a new word for me. Wiki says Pollarding for fodder and wood. Pollard hay.

 

@JWK Pollards to you as well ! I'll get my ladders out tomorrow and take a picture of the tree and leaf patterns. It's about time I knew what it was .

 

I have put an ID request in the ID section.
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/threads/another-tree-id-needed.98209/

 

Well its been ID'd as a Plum Tree . Reading up on Pollarding , tipping or topping . It is not strongly recommended , as the tree grows back to the same size in two years. So I think I will leave it unless a neighbor complains.

 

If the tree has been regularly pollarded and it shows good strong growth year after year, then generally you can continue with it. Problems arise when a mature tree that has never been majorly pruned before is suddenly pollarded.