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Litterfall was studied during 1996-97 in a Quercus pyrenaica coppice, thinned according to different intensities so as to transform the stand into coppice with standards or dehesa-type woodland, at Rascafría in the Central Mountains of Spain. Annual dry matter of litter varied between 4526 kg/ha in the control plot, 3598 kg/ha in the lightly thinned plot (a reduction of 25% in basal area), 3420 kg/ha in the moderately thinned plot (a reduction of 35% in basal area) and 2180 kg/ha in the most intensively thinned plot (a reduction of 50% in basal area). Results show that transformation of coppice into coppice with standards by moderate and light low thinning does not modify the functioning of the system as measured by means of leaf loss. Annual variations in litter production were also analysed; there were significant differences in the climate between the two years of study.