Topping, also referred to as heading, stubbing, rounding, tipping, dehorning or the drastic removal of large branches, is defined as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree’s crown to such a degree so as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. It is unlawful as a normal practice for any person or firm to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on City property. Proper early training, selective branch thinning or entire tree removal are acceptable tree maintenance alternatives to topping. Allowable natural shape branch thinning techniques include drop-crotch, under pruning, side pruning and through pruning.