El Astro

Hello everyone, I came across this in a clients house, the tree has some dead branches up top but nothing too alarming. It also has this ''contraption'' screwed unto the tree. I don't know if this is some old type of tree surgery or if someone just screwed this unto the tree for some other reason, i am however a bit worried that by removing this the left branch will collapse since it may have some strength into keeping it into place. What would you do?

Thanks for the advices, i really appreciate your points of view. The trees are owned by a private and yes they are not in the UK but in Portugal.

I agree too, i think the public opinion is due to the fact of my geographical location where topping is considered ''normal pruning'' still. Thank you for your input on the cycles

Hi everyone, I have been lurking for a while and i am grateful to everybody that keeps this forum active! Recently i have been approached by the owner of this restaurant to work on these trees. They are poplars, most of them with some dead branches at the top and some (which you can't tell by the photo) have branches hanging over the roof and the outside seating of his restaurant. When they are green i think they look beautiful but i also think they pose quite some danger. He spoke with the council that advised against removing these trees and planting new ones due to public opinion, being the alternative to top them at 8 meters high or so with maintenance required every 5 years or else they will become even more dangerous. I would like to know what are your opinions on this as i am quite conflicted with the idea of topping.