Question
My neighbor thinks the spruce tree between our property is too tall. He wants to cut the top off so that it is even with the roof line. I don't think this sounds like the right thing to do, do you?

Answer
Topping is the practice of removing major portions of a large tree's crown by cutting branches to stubs or to the trunk. Some homeowners think their tree is too big and therefore, unsafe; some believe it is good for the health of the tree; some simply planted the wrong tree in the wrong place (under utility lines, for example) and need to "whack" it back into its space. Tree topping shortens the life of your tree, creates weakly attached limbs prone to breakage and disfigures your tree.

It all depends on the size and it sounds like these are now large trees. Spruce can be successfully topped when they a young but will look like hedges not trees. In older trees the tree will not recover and may start to die.

So I would say NO to a neighbor that wanted me to top my trees. The reason is also poor-the tree has been tall for some time and just because a neighbor wants to be able to see the horizon etc. is not a good reason. IF the tree is on your property I would tell the neighbor sorry but I like the tree as is.   Here is a web link to more information of topping of evergreens.

http://www.evergreenarborist.com/Articles/article3.htm