Ross Webster Tree Services

Maintenance

What is the difference between crown reduction and topping?

24 July 2026

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By Ross Webster

Crown reduction controls a tree's size by cutting back to lateral branches. The tree keeps its natural shape. Topping is cutting straight across the main stems, which damages the tree and encourages weak regrowth. We never top trees.

You can tell a topped tree from the road. It looks like it has been in a fight. A reduced tree looks like a tree, just smaller.

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