after a tree has been topped it grows 3 or 4 other tops again trying to regenerate itself. so it leaves a open spot in the in the middle i take bark of other trees and kind of build a shelter for it. also put screen over about 5 feet above the plants so falling branches and such wont smash it. im a arborist so i climb trees for a living. i just set up a pulley system and have a friend on the ground hooking everything up to ropes and i just pull all the stuff up the tree. been doing it for years. last year i had 3 plants and pulled over a pound out of em. any more questions feel free to ask