Is It Okay To Cut A Third Of The Top Of A 45 Year Old Tulip Tree?

Question

I planted a tulip tree 45 years ago and it is very tall, maybe 80 or 90 feet tall. I would like to cut the top by a third. Will this hurt or kill the tree?

Answer 1

It is better to remove some of the tall side branches. Topping a tree will cause many unattractive water sprouts to grow and could kill it. Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-topping-information.htm