In order to find a solution to the problem of quality tobacco leaf shortage, a study on improving the industrial usability of upper leaves was conducted. The 6 upper leaves on upper stalk position were harvested in one priming as the leaves fully ripened, the change of usability of upper leaves related to ripeness was analyzed, and the effects of tar reducing treatment on the usability of middle and upper leaves were compared. The results showed that: harvesting 6 ripened upper leaves in one priming obviously improved leaf ripeness and structural openness, reduced starch content in cured leaf, enhanced aroma quality and mouth feeling, increased aroma quantity and smoke concentration, decreased irritancy and offensive odor. The results of a demonstration showed that 60% of upper leaves possessed good maturity, open structure, moderate contents of sugar, nitrogen, nicotine and starch, harmonious main chemical constituents, moderate to good aroma quality and plentiful aroma quantity, which could be used in the cigarette blends of Class I and Class II. After the treatment of tar reducing, the aroma quality, aroma quantity, and taste of upper leaves were improved slightly and the influence of irritancy and offensive odor were somewhat reduced.