Question
I have a six year old King Crimson Maple. It is really starting to take off this year. The very top has about a 3 foot growth without any leaves. I heard it is good to trim this top area so the tree will grow fuller. Is this correct? I live in Southwest Michigan (Kalamazoo).

Thanks,
Mike

Answer
No cutting the terminal off will at the least damage the tree and at the worst kill it. It is never good to top trees. Maples do  not do well when topped. Some evergreen conifers can be topped but this makes a bush not a tree form. It will not increase the growth--the tree will fill out as it ages.