Topping and hedging for height and light management has become a preferred orchard pruning system for many growers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Attempts to maximize plant spacing for improved productivity has required new methods of orchard management. It is critical that farmers in California are able to prune large acreages quickly and efficiently. Mechanical tree topping or hedging with the TOL HD 1400 is an effective solution for ever increasing tree crop acreage and is an economical alternative to hand or tower pruning.