Abstract: A tabacco stripper having a stripper opening which is initially expandable to provide ample room for receiving the end of a tobacco stalk and then collapses on the stalk under spring tension to strip the leaves of the tobacco from the stalk without damage. The tobacco stripper includes a four-blade stripping assembly which expands in response to the actuation of a foot pedal and then contracts against the round tobacco stalk under the action of a spring tensioning means to strip the stalks as they are moved through the opening. Each of the four stripper plates have circular openings which are superimposed, and collectively define a circular opening during the full range of their respective movements, which conforms to the shape of the tobacco stalk being processed.