Tree topping is not cheap. And if it is cheap, that should make you nervous.
It’s a controversial method in the tree service world for a reason it can damage the tree permanently if it’s done wrong. So before you ask about cost, make sure you even need tree topping. But if you do, here’s the full breakdown.
What Is Tree Topping, and Why Does It Matter?
Tree topping is the practice of cutting off the upper part of a tree’s crown basically reducing height by removing large branches and limbs. Some people think it helps with tree health. It doesn’t. It’s usually done for size control, safety, or view clearance.
But here’s the catch: It can cause long-term harm if done incorrectly. It leads to weak regrowth, stress, and often shortens the tree’s lifespan. You don’t just go around chopping trees at the top because they’re too tall.
The only time we recommend topping is in very specific situations emergency hazard reduction, preventing interference with power lines, or in cases where there’s no other reasonable solution.
What’s the Average Cost to Top a Tree?
Let’s talk about real numbers.
- Small trees (under 30 feet): $160 to $400
- Medium trees (30–60 feet): $400 to $700
- Large trees (60–100+ feet): $800 to $1,800 or more
- Add-ons: If the tree is near power lines, your roof, or leaning dangerously expect 20–50% more.
It’s not just about the size. It’s about access, risk, labor, and cleanup. Topping a tree is dangerous. It takes climbing, chainsaw work at height, and careful balancing all while making sure no limbs hit your house or your neighbor’s fence.
If a guy offers to do it for $100 flat run. That’s not tree service. That’s a liability.
When Should You Do Tree Topping?
Rarely. But if you have to, here’s when it makes sense:
- The tree is interfering with overhead utility lines and trimming won’t help.
- Storm damage has split the crown and left it unstable.
- You’re dealing with fast-growing trees (like silver maple or Bradford pear) that were planted too close to a structure and got out of hand.
Timing matters too. Late winter or early spring is best before leaf-out. You avoid stress from heat and reduce the risk of disease or pest infestation. But again, consult someone who knows what they’re doing before you pick a date.
How Tree Topping Is Done
If we have to top a tree, we don’t go in there blind.
- Assessment first. We look at species, age, structure, and health. Some trees don’t recover from topping. Others can bounce back with careful cuts.
- Safety setup. Ropes, harnesses, helmets, rigging gear. You can’t top from a ladder.
- Strategic cuts. We never flat-top a tree. That’s how you kill it. Instead, we reduce the crown gradually, using drop-crotch pruning to remove height without gutting the whole tree.
- Clean cuts. Always at the branch collar. No stubs, no tears.
- Cleanup and disposal. We don’t leave a pile of branches for you to deal with. That’s part of the cost.
It’s not just hacking limbs. It’s surgery. Mess it up, and the tree suffers for years.
What Happens If You Don’t Do It Right?
Plenty.
- Fast, weak regrowth. After topping, trees often sprout suckers that grow fast but those branches are weak and more likely to break.
- Increased risk. Topped trees become dangerous. All those new shoots are poorly attached and can fall during wind or snow.
- Decay and disease. Large topping cuts don’t heal well. They become entry points for fungi and insects.
- Ugly trees. Let’s be real topped trees are ugly. They look butchered. They lose their natural shape and shade value.
- Lower property value. A badly topped tree in your front yard doesn’t scream “well-maintained home.
Most of our tree removal jobs come from bad topping done years before. So that “cheap fix” today often costs you a whole tree down the road.
Common Mistakes People Make With Tree Topping
Here’s what I see too often:
- Hiring unlicensed guys with a chainsaw and a truck. No insurance, no training. Just cutting.
- Topping when thinning was the better option. Most homeowners don’t know the difference. But good arborists do.
- Topping just because a tree is “too tall.” Tall isn’t dangerous unless the structure is weak or the location is bad.
- Ignoring aftercare. Topped trees need monitoring, pest control, and often structural support. People forget that part.
Don’t just trust anyone. Always ask for a license, insurance, and photos of past work. Or better yet, call someone who’s been doing this for decades. Like us.
Final Thoughts
Tree topping is serious business. It’s not trimming. It’s not pruning. It’s risky, it’s labor-intensive, and it’s permanent. The cost reflects that.
If it needs to be done we’ll do it right. We’ll assess, plan, and cut in a way that protects your tree, your property, and your safety. But we’ll also tell you if there’s a better option.
You can call me, Jose Maldonado, directly at +1 (816) 694-6352 or visit omar tree services llc if you’re in Kansas City and need someone honest to look at your trees.
