Question
Today, our city came to top our 14 aspens which were getting too tall and heading toward a power line on the property line.  We were given very little choice and now the trees are most likely ruined.  Is there anything we can do to possibly save any of them.  We love the quaking of the leaves and the border they give our backyard.  The birds love them too.  My husband is ready to just remove them altogether and he is depressed over the whole thing.

Answer
Topping trees is not recommended.  It results in weak, unnatural-looking growth that sprouts up and out from where the cuts were made. It will make the trees look like bushes but they should survive. Over time the tree will grow back with a top but more than likely the power co will come back and do it again. They will still grow but be more like tall bushes.