It gets a 3 because that tall pole is not too sturdy. You can't tighten it too much or you ruin the threads yet there is a slight wobble when your cat hops up to that top perch.  I have already emailed a suggestion to Wayfair and hope to get a reply. My suggestion was that the tall pole should be about 3 inches shorter to provide sturdiness; it does lean a bit when your cat gets up there. I so not have a fat cat and since this tree is for "Maine Coons" it should be able to bear their weight.