crepe myrtle pruning

A far better solution is simply to select plants that like alkaline soil. 4 Common Problems. I like pruning quite hard because in spring the branch will shoot out with new growth. Crape myrtle (or crepe myrtle) trees provide year-round interest and color with their showy summer blooms, colorful fall foliage and attractive winter bark. Let’s look at historical and modern best practices for pruning crape myrtle trees. This article covers the topic of pruning Crepe Myrtles (also spelled Crepemyrtle, Crapemyrtle or Crape Myrtle). Repeated pruning to the same point creates gnarled, knobby "knuckles" on the ends of the trunks. If you wish, you can cut them back much harder than this – they ’ ll send out long arching branches from the site of the cut when spring arrives. Leaving them doesn't reduce blooming. Fall Pruning Crepe Myrtle Trees As the weather cools, growth stops and the leaves begin to fall from the trees. If your crepe myrtle grows too big for its spot, move it to where it has more room. Crepe Myrtle pruning is important to make sure your tree flourishes. Planting, pruning and caring for it contributes to the beautiful blooming of crepe myrtle. These whips are too weak to hold up the flowers, so the branches often bend to the ground, like a drunk who's about to lose his lunch. Remove lower limbs that are thinner than a pencil diameter. These soils do this because they're alkaline. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. All I had to do was plug in the lights before Xmas and unplug them after. While the trees are young, the tips of the small limbs can be pruned off (again only those a pencil width diameter or less). Select a sunny location, and remember to mulch and water well to ease your tree into the landscape. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming. Secondly, pruning is not a must as they tend to have a good natural form. Don't leave stubs. Crape myrtles are summer-blooming trees, so prune … Although some gardeners prune their crape myrtles in the fall, I do not recommend doing this. 1. Professional Crepe Myrtle Pruning Services. Before long they can reach heights of 100′ or more. Crepe Myrtle Pruning Tips When pruning a crepe myrtle, don't chop your large crepe myrtles down to ugly stubs each spring just because your neighbors do. If the plants seem to need pruning every other week to keep them from covering the windows or walk, they're planted in the wrong place. It's how to properly prune their crepe myrtles Here's a step-by-step guide showing how the Grumps prunes his. ‘Tis the season to ditch your all-white palette in favor of something a little bolder and brighter. A lot of people engage in it because they see their neighbors doing it. When pruning any shrub or tree you want to keep in mind the 5 d’s. The small round seedpods or capsules usually weigh the limbs down, … In this video I showed how I pruned 4 overgrown crepe myrtles trees. It typically occurs in regions with sparse rainfall, such as West and North Texas and western Oklahoma. Why do you need my advice? Click for a hub of Extension resources related to … If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Here are the downsides to pruning a crape myrtle back to an ugly 3- to 4-foot nub every year. Crepe myrtles or crape myrtles are a terrific and low-maintenance choice for prolific blooms during humid and hot summers. - Connect With Top Local Pros. Corrective pruning should be done to remove damaged or dead branches when a problem is detected. Credit: Southern Living. All side branches growing from the main trunks up to a height of at least 4 feet. But it helps to identify which pruning style meets your ideal look, so keep reading to find out more about the three main pruning styles. Alkaline soil affects plants by increasing the availability of some soil nutrients while holding back on others. Summer blooms and fall colors make crepe myrtles a garden favorite. Crepe Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica Plant Profile Care and Growing Hints. Because a lot of you take guidance from your ignorant neighbors neighbors, who prune their crepe myrtles to look like this. Good pruning while crape myrtles are young will mean less maintenance … The Correct Way to Prune a Crepe Myrtle. Not all soils in the South pass the acid test. Crepe myrtle bush pruning is imperative because the bushes can overgrow, occupying much space and eventually spreading to unwanted areas. Leaving them on the tree reduced my Xmas decorating each year to 10 seconds. Severe pruning will not kill or injure a healthy crape myrtle. Prune only to maintain natural form. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. These simple and spectacular Southern cakes deserve a comeback. But, some gardeners might prune in the fall. Here are a few images of correct and incorrect pruning. ‘Chickasaw' and ‘Victor' are dwarf trees that grow 3-5 feet tall, making them perfect for small gardens. To achieve an aesthetically pleasing look, Crape Myrtles should be pruned every year. 2. Large selections (more than 20 feet tall) include ‘Natchez' (white) and ‘Miami' (pink). Container-grown trees are easy to transport and transition into the garden well. signal the beginning of summer with a profusion of colorful flower clusters. To determine for sure whether your soil is alkaline, have it tested. Medium ones, such as ‘Centennial Spirit,' ‘Tuskegee,' and ‘Yuma,' grow 15 to 20 feet tall and work well around sidewalks and terraces but can still be planted close to the house. Severe pruning will not kill or injure a healthy crape myrtle. Early each spring, remove weak, spindly growth and all the branches that are growing in toward the center of the plant. I didn't invent the term. Price varies upon size and quantity. Email. Crape myrtle will thrive in almost any type of soil – sandy, clay or loamy. Thank you for growing with us for over 45 years! Brilliant blooms will be replaced by orange, red, and yellow foliage for an outstanding autumn show. Crapes do not need to be pruned to bloom. Professional Crepe Myrtle Pruning Services. Multi-stemmed, shrubby crape myrtles usually don’t need pruning at all, unless they’re growing unevenly. Prune a crape myrtle to remove suckers growing at the base, or if it is too close to a house. For most of us, that's a good thing. Pruning Crape Myrtle […] Getting a crepe myrtle off to a good shape starts at planting. Isn't it purty? Crepe Myrtle Pruning. So plant them out in the yard -- not in front of your bay windows. Subscribe to our channel! Pruning crepe myrtles prevents the tree from growing very lanky, so trimming back one-third of the branches will encourage new lush growth. Remember, they can vary greatly in size and bloom colors. Our job when pruning a crape myrtle is to simply guide it to its best potential and thin it out a bit to allow air … When a crape myrtle is pruned properly: It will produce twice the number of branches, and therefore twice the number of blooms as it did during the previous year. Crepe myrtles are sun-loving ornamental trees and shrubs found throughout the southeastern United States, and are loved by everyone. There are lots to choose from and many are carefree, drought-tolerant native plants. Many gardeners select crepe myrtles by bloom colors, but you can also choose a plant by its fall foliage (see chart below). For the proper pruning timing, I did a little research since I live in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6A where it is a borderline hardy plant that gets hit hard from cold temperatures from time to time. Crepe myrtles respond well to pruning, which is best done in mid-winter, when trees are bare of leaves. However, they prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 7.5). Send Text Message Print. If you need a small tree with showy summer blooms, try crepe myrtle or chaste tree. Notice that the horticulturist is taking off only low limbs that are small in diameter, while leaving the large trunks in place. So last week, I took off the lights. But if you don't want to prune, then just let the plant grow to its natural shape. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! When you need a crepe myrtle pruning company, you can depend on Crepe Myrtle Pruning to connect you with professionals in your area. Dr. Jim Robbins shows the proper techniques for pruning your landscape crapemyrtle in the video below. Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. But First… You might be shaking your head as you read this, admonishing us for our spelling. Prune a tree in the shape of a bowl to expose the inner branches to the sun with instructions from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening. A severe pruning will result in a ‘knee’ and will result in many smaller weak limbs shooting out from the knee. Firstly, compared to regular crepe myrtles, small crepe myrtles have a slower growth rate. Plant crape myrtle in … This is the correct way to prune a crepe myrtle! Posted on February 4, 2020 by Jennifer Gibson - Featured, Videos. Crepe myrtles need full sun to perform well. After all, you can always go back and cut more. Branches growing at awkward angles that detract from the tree's appearance. And pruning a crepe myrtle is really simple. Small crepe myrtle pruning is a bit different from regular pruning. Getting a crepe myrtle off to a good shape starts at planting. Don't commit Crepe Murder! It is important not to prune the tops of crepe myrtle trees to make them bloom. 2. Why do well-intentioned gardeners keep repeating this crime? 3. If you already have a well-maintained crepe myrtle, regular pruning at the end of each winter or beginning of spring can keep it from becoming overgrown. What's alkaline soil? As the tree grows, it become difficult and even dangerous to prune the top and it’s not necessary anyway. Lack of iron causes chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins). Saving the world, one crepe myrtle at a time. Every year, the job gets easier. So with that being said, it pays to prune your Crape Myrtles in the winter months as soon as November at as late at March when they are dormant. As they grow taller, gradually remove all side branches up to a height of four to five feet. - Connect With Top Local Pros. Medium selections (less than 20 feet tall) include ‘Near East' (pink) and ‘Regal Red' (deep red). These hardy trees have few pest or disease problems, and they require little water and fertilizer. However; if you are okay with a more “natural” look you can prune your Crepe Myrtles every 3-5 years. Crape myrtle trees can be pruned to look more like trees, and the first time that they should be pruned However, not being able to prune without cutting the light cords meant my crepe myrtle grew too dense and spread too wide. - Request Fast Quotes - Find Qualified Contractors In Your Area What Month to Prune a Crepe Myrtle. Pick three to five primary leader branches and prune the other branches coming up at ground level. Another pruning method, topping, is not usually recommended. Otherwise, prune while the plant is dormant (winter or early spring) to remove lateral branches, small twigs, or branches in the center of the plant to open more space for sun and air movement. Pruning tips. Keep in mind that pruning a crepe myrtle bush has to be done correctly for the plant to retain its ornamental appeal. The major nutrient most commonly deficient in high pH soil is iron. Southern Living is a registered trademark of, These Haircuts Are Going To Be Huge in 2021, 70 Wedding Vow Examples That Will Melt Your Heart, 7 Paint Colors We’re Loving for Kitchen Cabinets in 2020, 50 Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. The tool leaning up against it is my trusty pole pruner. Crepe myrtles are among the world’s best flowering trees. Crepe myrtle is an amazing ornamental summer-blooming shrub.. Key Crepe myrtle facts. The Right Time to Prune A Crape Myrtle Wrong-season pruning would mean November and December. Start Pruning from the Bottom. 4. Prune large branches back to a crotch. Planting, pruning and caring for it contributes to the beautiful blooming of crepe myrtle. Topping may yield larger flowers but does not increase the overall volume of blooms. Those who love the crepe myrtle will forgive this horticultural hyperbole because everywhere we see crimes of pruning committed against these trees. Luckily, crape myrtles are resilient and can tolerate the topping or shearing that some folks insist on giving them. This is a well debated issue and one that plays out differently all over town. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching. Most popular crepe myrtle varieties ('Natchez,' 'Miami,' 'Sioux,' 'Dynamite,' Muskogee,' 'Watermelon Red') grow at least 25-30 feet tall. Southern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) What concerns people most in the country right now? If the tree is cut back to the same height every year, topping can cause large knuckles to form. In fact, it may increase it. If you would like to have your Crepe Myrtles pruned before the season ends, please feel free to call, email, or PM us at any time! Then, aided by my lovely unseen wife who agreed to take pictures, I finally pruned it to show you how it's done and how a mature crepe myrtle is supposed to look. There is one exception to this rule; harsh pruning of dwarf crepe myrtles is acceptable and will not result in ‘knees’. How to properly prune crapemyrtles The best time to prune these dwarf crape myrtles is in late winter or early spring when they are still dormant. If the plant is improperly placed and gets too large for its current position, consider transplanting it before a severe pruning. Remove branches that are too close together or that cross or rub each other. So, in conclusion, crepe myrtles trees are usually grown as small trees with 3 to 5 trunks that are kept free of small limbs up on the lower part of the tree (up to 2/3 of the height). People shorten crepe myrtles by six feet or more, turning beautiful trunks into thick, ugly stubs. Don looked at an exciting new range of crepe myrtle hybrids which reach different heights and spreads, and so reduce the need for pruning. How to Cut a Dwarf Crepe Myrtle Tree. Blooming Crape Myrtle Along a Walking Path. Name – Lagerstroemia indica Family – Lythraceae Type – tree or shrub Height – 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) Exposure – full sun, part sun Soil – rich enough Foliage – deciduous Flowering – May to October. If you wish, you can cut them back much harder than this – they ’ ll send out long arching branches from the site of the cut when spring arrives. The trendy haircuts you’ll be seeing everywhere next year. Winter is the prime pruning season in order for new growth to start in the spring, allowing the Crepe Myrtle to blossom. Since crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, it is best that you prune them in the late winter or during early spring just before they come out of dormancy and send out the new branches and leaves. But First… You might be shaking your head as you read this, admonishing us for our spelling. |. Proper pruning techniques will ensure an abundance of blooms, as well as a healthy plant for many years to come. Saving the world, one crepe myrtle at a time Those who love the crepe myrtle will forgive this horticultural hyperbole because everywhere we see crimes of pruning committed against these trees. I used pruning loppers and a small chainsaw. If pruning crapemyrtle is necessary, recommended types of pruning include tipping and pollarding. WATCH: What's Wrong With My Crepe Myrtle? You'll find simple soil-test kits at garden centers, nurseries, and home supply stores. Water regularly when establishing, however after the first year this is a … Hand pruners to clip twigs and branches less than 1/2-inch thick. ‘Acoma,' ‘Hopi,' and ‘Zuni' are small trees and will grow 7 to 10 feet high. Here is our complete blog post on this pest, including how to identify and treat it, Rose Rosette Virus Identification and Control, Our Newest Houseplant ‘White Fusion’ Calathea. ©2021 The Good Earth Garden Center All Rights Reserved. The results of poor pruning. Most Central Florida homeowners prune crepe myrtles because they will grow, grow & grow! A forest of skinny, whip-like shoots sprouts from the end of each ugly stump. Another reason people butcher crepe myrtles is because they say their plants get too big. Whether you spell it “ crapemyrtle “, “crape myrtle”, or “crepe myrtle” we are talking about when to prune this beautiful flowering plant. Crepe myrtles transplant very well! Pole pruners or a pruning saw to cut branches more than 1-1/2 inches thick. — Charlie Thigpen. If you need to prune your crepe myrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the craepe myrtle is the correct method. Pruning can help keep your beautiful blooming tree under control. Let’s look at historical and modern best practices for pruning crape myrtle trees. A common and devastating mistake made while pruning crapemyrtles is the practice of "topping" off the beautiful plant. Pruning a crapemyrtle requires the same procedures used for any tree or shrub. In the winter, you can remove old seedpods by clipping the tips of branches. This ruins the natural form and encourages the growth of spindly, whiplike branches that are too weak to hold up the flowers. Topping is the drastic removal of large-diameter wood (typically several years old), with the end result of shortening all stems and branches. This is the best time to prune if you are reshaping the tree, removing deep or weak branches, trying to encourage new growth or size maintenance. The Single Trunk In my opinion , the single trunk Crape Myrtle is one of the more beautiful shapes the tree can take on with proper pruning, however, will require the most investment in pruning each year. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prune your small crepe myrtles, though. Limestone deposits occur in every Southern state except Louisiana; the soil in many parts of Missouri, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida is alkaline. I never pruned it much, because I strung it with tiny Xmas lights that I never took down. Isn’t that a beautiful tree?! Size will be a factor in pruning, since some Crepe Myrtle varieties can grow to a height exceeding 25 feet. As the weather warms, the foliage hardens off and turns dark green. When to Trim Crape Myrtles The best time to prune your crape myrtles in Texas is during the late winter or early spring. Dead or broken branches can be removed when you notice them. Here is our complete blog post on this pest, including how to identify and treat it. Here is the crepe myrtle before I started. While the plant is young, it is acceptable to prune the top of the branches. Loppers to cut branches 1/2-inch to 1-1/2 inches thick. Never leave thick stubs. Then, when the temperatures drop in the fall, leaves gradually transform from green to sparkling fall hues. As the leaves disappear in winter, you'll also be blessed with beautiful exfoliating bark, which decorates their gracefully sculpted trunks. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Firstly, compared to regular crepe myrtles, small crepe myrtles have a slower growth rate. Why Use Our Service? When you need a crepe myrtle pruning company, you can depend on Crepe Myrtle Pruning to connect you with professionals in your area. First of all, pruning crepe myrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow! It’s best to work your way up when pruning a crape myrtle. This is absolutely false. The first is to completely replace the existing soil with acid soil, so you can grow acid-loving plants. More. Some of us even call the severe pruning of crepe myrtles ‘crepe murder’! It turns beautiful trees into ugly stumps. Do any heavy pruning at this time. The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year. I like it because you can extend the pole to cut branches more than 15 feet from the ground. But look at these classic trees in fall, and you might be surprised. They do not need to be cut back by chopping off the tops of the tree as shown in the image above. Below is the result of this year's pruning. But it also occurs where beds of ancient limestone lie just beneath the surface. All varieties, do need a well drained position, and do well in a humus rich moist soil, full sun is best and keep well mulched. Blaze into autumn with summer's favorite tree. Good crepe myrtle pruning: This is the correct way to prune a crepe myrtle! - Request Fast Quotes - Find Qualified Contractors In Your Area Some people think they need to prune off old seed heads to have blooms the following year. Drive through any Southern neighborhood in early spring and, before long, you'll encounter a spiritually fulfilled suburbanite, pruning saw in hand and a pile of crepe myrtle branches on the ground. They will grow in shade, but blooms will be sparse, and plants will get leggy. These folks need to remember that crepe myrtles are small trees, not foundation shrubs. These shortfalls can stunt certain plants. No matter how many times I tell folks not to chop their crepe myrtles into big, ugly stumps each spring, they do it anyway, maiming the beautiful trunks and ruining the natural treelike form. Secondly, pruning is not a must as they tend to have a good natural form. And if you are in the market for a crepe myrtle, remember that they come in all sizes and bloom colors. Before and After Crepe Myrtle pruning. Removing seedheads on the end of branches is optional. Pruning crape myrtles in the fall may make the plant susceptible to freeze damage. Nope. But this is laborious and expensive and seldom succeeds over time. This exposes the smooth, handsome bark. Always cut back to a larger branch of the trunk. Once crepe myrtles have bloomed and shed their flowers, they will set seed. Crepe myrtle is an amazing ornamental summer-blooming shrub.. Key Crepe myrtle facts. 3. All higher branches growing inward towards the center of the tree. Finally, crepe murder is a copycat crime. https://www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/what-concerns-p We prune Crepe Myrtles of all size! Crepe Myrtle (also known as Crape Myrtle) is one of the most beautiful ornamental shrubs and trees that you can have on your lawn. This seems to be the easiest way to approach a Crepe Myrtle and allows you to shape the tree as you go. I just did what we Americans have always done so well -- pass off other's good ideas as your own. All that this means is that these cretins chose the wrong plant for the wrong spot. You want to prune the trees before any new growth appears, while waiting long enough that you aren’t having harsh winter conditions. How to Prune Dwarf or Shrubby Crape Myrtles. If a bird can easily fly through the center of your house, you're probably missing some windows. Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Corrective pruning should be done to remove damaged or dead branches when a problem is detected. The fuller and denser a small crepe myrtle are, the less pruning it requires. These can be planted in tight areas where you want a tree but have little space. If yours are way out of control, then a chainsaw might be necessary in the most extreme cases. Crepe myrtles grow naturally in a graceful vase shape. The idea behind proper crepe myrtle pruning is to maintain and enhance the natural form of the tree. However, there are some Crepe Myrtle Purists who call too-much pruning “Crepe Murder” and believe if you desire a smaller specimen then you should go buy one! Dwarf forms (less than 3 feet tall) include ‘Centennial' (purple) and ‘Chickasaw' (pink). Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. A thicket of long, weak, whiplike branches then sprouts from each knuckle. Crepe myrtles respond well to pruning, which is best done in mid-winter, when trees are bare of leaves.To keep them compact, trim back branches by about 30cm all over. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. The good news is most Crape Myrtles can be pruned with hand held shears or long handles loppers. Houseflies are the dumbest living things on Earth, literally incapable of learning anything, which makes me wonder sometimes if houseflies equipped with pruners have been savaging our neighborhood's crepe myrtles. Pruning lower limbs that are less than a pencils’ width in diameter is completely acceptable since this will not leave any scars. Extreme topping often results in weak growth that tends to bend of break in summer rains. If your crape myrtle blooms before mid-July, deadheading it (cutting off the dead blooms as soon as they fade) can often make it bloom again. Select four or five well-spaced main trunks; remove any others at ground level. Others hack back these plants to keep them from getting too big. That will keep your crepe myrtle from turning into a thick, unkempt shrub. Before you prune anything, it's a good idea to know what you're trying to accomplish. Thinning of limbs every few years will encourage new growth and blooming but remember to prune only limbs that are less than a pencils’ width in diameter. Notice that the horticulturist is taking off only low limbs that are small in diameter, while leaving the large trunks in place. Most Central Florida homeowners prune crepe myrtles because they will grow, grow & grow! As a group, Crepe Myrtles are very hard-wooded. Pruning Procedure for Maintenance. What we … Select these trees while they are in bloom. Crape myrtles have the potential to be wonderful small trees if they aren’t chopped to their knees annually. This is why people often refer to alkaline soil as "limy" or "chalky." The … But perhaps "crepe murder" is a matter of taste, not intelligence. Why Use Our Service? Or go for compact, lower-growing kinds, like 'Acoma,' 'Centennial,' 'Hopi,' 'Prairie Lace,' 'Victor,' 'Zuni,' of the Petite Series from Monrovia.

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