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.

How do you shape a crepe myrtle tree?

Selectively prune upper branches along each stem to shape a flowing, open canopy. Remove branches that cross one another or grow through the interior of the crown. As the crapemyrtle grows, continue to remove lower branches and any suckers that emerge from the base of the plant.

How far back can you cut a crepe myrtle tree?

Cut all the way back. I like branching to begin 6 to 8 feet off the ground because it looks better and is more practical. If you don’t need to walk under the branches or see through them to view oncoming traffic, you can allow the branching to start lower. Prune unwanted low branches all the way back to the main trunk.

Can I prune my crepe myrtle in May?

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.

Is it too late to prune my crepe myrtle?

It’s not too late to prune your crape myrtles now. If leaves have not yet or have just barely appeared, you’re safe to prune with little effect. 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.

Is it OK to trim crepe myrtles in 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.

Should crepe myrtles be cut back every year?

Growing Conditions Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching. In the winter, you can remove old seedpods by clipping the tips of branches.

What are the best tips for pruning crepe myrtle?

Stand back and observe how the crepe myrtle is growing.

  • Prune small sprouts at bottom of tree first. These are called “suckers.” Left untrimmed,these will give your crepe myrtle a bushy appearance,and may compete with your main
  • Cut side branches.
  • Prune out dead and crossing branches.

    • How and when to prune crape myrtles?

    The best month to prune crape myrtles is February, when the shrub is fully dormant and the branches are leafless and exposed. The naked branches give you a view of the structure and frame of the shrub. This is the month to prune out the interior of the plant, if needed, to improve air circulation.

    Is a crape myrtle a deciduous or evergreen tree?

    Crape myrtles are a group of deciduous trees and shrubs, while wax myrtles include evergreen and semi-evergreen shrubs and trees. Evergreen wax myrtle foliage does not change color in the fall and the leaves emit a fragrance when crushed. Crape myrtles offer brilliantly-colored foliage in fall until the first hard frost of the season.

    How long does a crapemyrtle take to grow?

    The largest crapemyrtles are usually single-trunk types. They are trained to grow as trees and can reach heights of over 40 feet, although most average between 20 and 30 feet. It takes these trees between 10 and 20 years or longer to grow to maturity.