Two estimates promising a smaller tree can describe very different work. Before approving either one, ask how branches will be shortened and what living structure will remain. The label on the estimate is not enough.
Look for cuts back to suitable branches
Crown reduction shortens selected stems to suitable lateral branches that can continue growth. The position and size of those laterals help determine where an appropriate cut can be made. This limits how far a tree can reasonably be reduced.
Topping commonly cuts stems to arbitrary lengths, leaving stubs or branches too small to take over effectively. A proposal to cut the entire top straight across deserves clarification before you authorize it.
Consider what happens after the cut
Large, indiscriminate cuts can create substantial wounds and trigger vigorous shoots. Those shoots do not automatically restore the original branch structure, and future management may become more complicated.
Appropriate reduction still removes living material and creates wounds. It is not harmless simply because it avoids topping. Species, condition, existing defects, and the size of proposed cuts matter.
Ask questions that distinguish the methods
Ask the contractor to explain which parts of the crown will be shortened, where suitable lateral branches exist, and what limits the proposed reduction. Request an explanation if the promised final size would require cutting back beyond those points.
Be cautious about promises to make any tree any height or eliminate future failure. A smaller canopy does not repair decay, root problems, or every structural weakness.
Choose a defined objective
Explain the size conflict you want resolved rather than requesting a flat top or a drastic height change. If an appropriate reduction cannot achieve the desired result, ask about revising the goal rather than accepting topping as an equivalent substitute.
San Diego owners comparing proposals can review selective crown reduction for oversized canopies and request a written description of the intended cuts and limitations. Choose the approach on its merits, not just the amount of canopy promised for removal.