Question
I have a beautiful, well formed, Red Pine that is about 60 feet tall. It is about 15 ft from my house and it leans slightly towards the house.
My wife would like me to prune it and top it. I do not want to do this but I might have to do it because it may threaten my house, I have been told that this will kill the tree. Is this true? Suggestions please.

Answer
Topping a pine will kill it. Pines do not sprout back new branches and cutting the main leader will cause the tree to more than likely die. Pruning of the lower branches will reduce the weight of the crown and will not harm the tree. These branches should be pruned back flush with the trunk. The lean depends on the amount--if it is less then 20 degrees from the vertical than it will cause not a problem--also the time it has been leaning will make a difference. It it has "always" leaned then the root system has grown to support the tree--but if for some reason (storm etc.) it now leans then the root system has not compensated for the lean.