Pruning 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?
Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?
What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?
Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
Why do you cut crepe myrtles back?
Should I deadhead crepe myrtle?
How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?
Can you cut back a crepe myrtle in the summer?
Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?

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.

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.

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

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.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

Crape myrtle tree sizes can range anywhere from miniature trees starting at 18 inches to large trees reaching 30 feet tall. ... Renewal pruning, or cutting the tree's base down to the ground, will allow the tree to have a fresh start, and it will rapidly grow back healthy and strong in two-three years.

Why do you cut crepe myrtles back?

The objectives of pruning a crepe myrtle are to maintain its natural sculptural form, produce strong branches that hold flowers upright, and open up its center to reveal the smooth, multi-toned bark that forms on mature trunks and branches. Cutting it back to thick stubs each year makes these goals impossible.

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 revive a crepe myrtle tree?

Reviving Crepe Myrtle After Neglect

Since it is summer now you want it to push some new growth so you can see the tree's strengths. ...
Use a normal tree and shrub fertilizer and apply it a foot or two away from the trunk and close to its source or sources of water.

Can you cut back a crepe myrtle in the summer?

Pruning crepe myrtles in summer is not the optimal time of year to trim your trees, unless you wait until after they bloom. ... Floridata notes that some cultivars continue to bloom for as long as 120 days, making this tree or large shrub a popular landscape plant.

Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and 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. ... Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes.