With the global over-supply of filler styles tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), especially leaf from lower plant positions, growers are seeking methods to increase economic returns. One such approach that Zimbabwe growers’ practice is the early removal of the lowermost leaves. These are considered to hold little economic value in the current global markets. This practice is also used by growers on later planted crops to reduce leaf ripening clashes with earlier planted crops. The aim of the research was to determine the following effects of the early removal of lower leaves: days to topping after transplanting, diseases, leaf ripening rates, yield and quality. Research was conducted in 2018/19 season using three sets of trials (each having three subsets) to determine the outcome of not removing leaves and removing 5 and 10 leaves at six weeks after planting. All three sets were topped to 19 leaves. All agronomic practices were carried out equally between the trial sets (no additional fertilizer was applied). During the trial period precipitation levels were supplemented with irrigation over unusually lengthy dry spells. It was found that the removal of five leaves and ten leaves delayed topping by one week and two weeks respectively. Notable differences were found between the ripening rates of each trial set. The effects on quality, yield and economic merit will be discussed further in the body of this paper.