i slaughter my plants somewhere between day 10-14 of flower and clear out most of the bottom branches and it results in heavier colas

but i never top or take any of the main branches, top fan leaves stay unless theyre preventing light penetration and i try not to remove anything that doesnt need to be, cause to much will decrease yeild especially off the tops

do some research and find what works in your garden for you, lollipoping is a technique some use