Best Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time When To Prune Crepe Myrtle

Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Is it too early to cut back crepe myrtle?
Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?
How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?
How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?
Should I trim my crape myrtle?
Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?
How do you prune a crepe myrtle for a second bloom?
What time of the year do crepe myrtles bloom?
What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming.

What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?

Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Is it too early to cut back crepe myrtle?

While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them. ... Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.

Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?

This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life. Often gardeners think they are supposed to prune their crape myrtles that way, and nothing could be farther from the truth.

How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?

As they grow taller, gradually remove all side branches up to a height of four to five feet. This exposes the smooth, handsome bark. Early each spring, remove weak, spindly growth and all the branches that are growing in toward the center of the plant. Prune large branches back to a crotch.

How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?

Cut off suckers from the bottom, rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inward. Gradually cut off all side branches from the main base as the tree gets taller. Never leave lone or clustered stubs. Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they get too thick (thickness of a pencil).

Should I trim my crape myrtle?

When is the best time to trim or cut back crepe myrtles? Early spring before new growth is the best time to prune crape myrtles. Whenever you prune, you cause the tree to generate new growth. New growth that starts now will not have time to harden off before frost.

Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?

Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth that is produced can be damaged by cold weather.

How do you prune a crepe myrtle for a second bloom?

Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time for Second Bloom

Like many plants, a crepe myrtle tree can be encouraged to put forth a second round of blossoms through a practice called deadheading. When to prune the crepe myrtle tree in this case is shortly after the tree's first round of blossoms have faded. Prune the blossoms off.

What time of the year do crepe myrtles bloom?

Most years, crape myrtles start blooming between mid-May and early June. Flowering continues for 90-120 days depending on the variety.

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.