Yeah, I'm very seriously against topping sound and healthy trees!!!
This and other case are definitly out of case , cause we need to resolve this danger situation, in few time the tree, or at least the left stem would be really hazard for the house.
We just decide to don't really remove all -..by now.., his presence will last for some time...years maybe dying slowly.
For veteran trees you have maybe different way to operate a certain case, for sure topping is harmful, and this one sure too, but the trees has gain himself a dangerous and haRMFUL situation that will force you to do this only to take him alive..
Other times maybe topping branches is acceptable as far as the lower branches cannot support the weight, cause of rotten trunk, and this is quite always after continuos and previous topping year after year, what remain is swiss cheese, with hole evrywhere..
you decide how to "treat" it, leave dangerous part?not for sure, or you can remove interely the tree, or at least if the tree is worth , or the customer want to preserv it anyway, you arre obliged to make "not nice cut" and use not proper professional arborist tecnic.
And I told you guys here in Italy around in the streets , in public areas and in little gardens is so sad to see tree in very poor situation.
Someday you will have to work with some of them.. and is really struggling situation for an arborist.
Sometimes removing sure is better..and replant a new tree, but sometimes you try to "do yr best" using the best practices.
on hard wood maybe the situation can be restabilized, letting grow a new branch to close and give support and new wood to the trunk, but depends on the vitality energy of the tree.
This one had multiple fungi attack and most in the roots system, so it is really weak, but we'll see what will happen to him.
I LOVE TREES WITH THEIR NATURAL SHAPE!
TOPPING KILL TREES!!