Topping is the trend of chopping off the highest portions of new limb growth back to larger branches; usually in order to reduce the size of the tree. Many people believe that by reducing the height of a tree by topping, they are reducing the hazard to their property, when in fact they are creating a larger hazard. Topping can reduce foliage needed by the tree to produce food, causing the tree to weaken and become more susceptible to pests and disease, potentially leading to limb failure and tree death. Topping is not an acceptable method of tree pruning, and is not recommended.