STOP THE TOPPING, AND THE TREES WILL BE HEALTHIER.(HOME & GARDEN) From: The Virginian Pilot | Date: March 5, 2000 | COPYRIGHT 2000 The Virginian Pilot-Ledger Star. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of the Dialog Corporation by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

TREES THAT LOOK like their tops have been cut straight across with a chainsaw have been ``topped.'' For years, topping was considered an acceptable cheap and easy way to reduce the size of mature trees.

You'll often see topping when trees grow so large they interfere with utility wires, buildings or garden areas. Crape myrtle trees frequently are topped in the mistaken belief that it will encourage more blooms, but topping ruins the shape of the tree.

``Toppi...