Question
In August 2005 I had 10 blue spruce trees planted in a row on my property line.This was done by an owner of a local greenery .They were 4 feet tall high .The location was in Potsdam N.Y.which is the far north region of N.Y. state.In 2006 the top foot or so of the tree was brown and I assume dead.The greenery owner lopped of the 1 foot top dead section at the main trunk.The main trunk resembles a "stump" and offshoot branches on side of main trunk have begun to curve upward.This tree is a foot to a foot and half shorter than the other trees which range from 6 feet to one which is almost 7 feet tall. Will the shorter tree ever regain  conical pyramid shape like other trees or will it be bushy?  I bought trees to create privacy and I have one noticeably shorter tree.I am trying to gain insight so I can decide whether or not to request the owner give me another tree.Trees were warranted for 1 year which has passed but the owner is the one who created the shorter tree by his actions during the first year.I can provide you with photos if necessary to your e-mail.Thank you,Bill

Answer
At that young age the topped tree will catch the others. It will however always be forked at the cut but over time will have the same shape as the other maybe a little fatter. The request to replace the tree should have been made when the top died a new tree now will be shorter than the others but if it really bothers you I would go ahead and ask the nurseryman to replace the tree with as large a tree he has. If he puts in a 5 foot tree it will be shorter then the others and over time this difference will begin to fade. I would think in five years you will not be able to tell much difference between the height of the topped tree or the new replant tree and the the other trees in the line. It will all be a matter of what you want and how it is effecting you.