Pruning Crepe Myrtle Trees

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).

1. What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
2. What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
3. Should crepe myrtle trees be cut back?
4. Can you kill a crepe myrtle by pruning?
5. How far do you cut back crepe myrtles?
6. Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
7. Why is my crepe myrtle tree not blooming?
8. Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?
9. How do you train a crepe myrtle tree?
10. How do I make my crepe myrtle bloom?
11. How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?
12. How do you prune an overgrown crepe myrtle?
13. Can you cut back a crepe myrtle in the summer?
14. When should hydrangeas be cut back?
15. What diseases do crepe myrtles get?
16. What will kill crepe myrtles?
17. What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?
18. Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?
19. Do crepe myrtles bloom twice a year?
20. Do crepe myrtle trees have invasive roots?
21. Can you plant crepe myrtles close to the house?
22. How long do crepe myrtles live?

What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?

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.

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.

Should crepe myrtle trees be cut back?

Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. ... Fall pruning not only creates an unattractive look for winter but also removes the current year's growth as a buffer against any potential winter damage.

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.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

One would be to do as you ask, and start over by cutting the plant to the ground. This will take time to restructure the tree. If you do this, choose three to five sprouts that appear, and prune out everything else. ... Pruning of crape myrtles should be done in late February to early March.

Why is my crepe myrtle tree not blooming?

If there are no flowers on crepe myrtle, it could be that the tree was pruned late in the season, causing the new wood to be mistakenly removed, which causes the buds for the flowers to never really develop. Never prune a crepe myrtle before it blooms. ... Crepe myrtle bloom time is just after the other flowering trees.

Is there a difference between a crepe myrtle bush and tree?

What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. ... The best way to identify a specific variety or species of crepe myrtle is to note all its characteristics, including mature size, flower color, fall color, growth habit (tree or shrub) and bark color.

How do you train a crepe myrtle tree?

Training Crapemyrtles to a Single Trunk Tree

Look for a strong stem that is growing straight and upright. Then, remove all other shoots. It may be necessary to stake the trunk to keep it upright. Next, remove branches from the lower portion of the stem, exposing one-third to one-half of the trunk.

How do I make my crepe myrtle bloom?

Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer. It is not too late to fertilize this year if you haven't yet.

How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?

Reviving Crepe Myrtle After Neglect

1. Since it is summer now you want it to push some new growth so you can see the tree's strengths. ...
2. 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.

How do you prune an overgrown crepe myrtle?

Restore overgrown crepe myrtles gradually by pruning over a three-year period so the tree continues to bloom. Remove deadwood before the spring starts and cut the top of the tree 2 feet below the height you want the blooms to be that year. Repeating this process can bring a largely overgrown crepe myrtle under control.

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.

When should hydrangeas be cut back?

In late winter or early spring, these shrubs can be cut all the way back to the ground. Smooth hydrangeas will produce much larger blooms if pruned hard like this each year, but many gardeners opt for smaller blooms on sturdier stems.

What diseases do crepe myrtles get?

Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are essentially trouble-free small trees. The most common problems include powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, aphids, Japanese beetles, and sooty mold.

What will kill crepe myrtles?

Glyphosate kills virtually any plant it touches. Herbicides containing glyphosate may be painted on freshly cut stumps or sprayed onto the foliage to kill the crape myrtle. Trim the cut end of older stumps to expose the wood surface before applying glosphate. Spray the foliage and branches of intact crape myrtles.

What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?

To maximize spring growth and summer bloom, gardeners should fertilize their crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Fertilizers like 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles but you shouldn't go over board.

Can you use Epsom salt on crepe myrtles?

Crape Myrtles bloom with a dose of Epsom Salts. Two: In order for your Crape Myrtle to bloom you may want to try this cocktail (for the Crape Myrtles, not you) Mixone tablespoon of Epsom Salts into one gallon of water and pour around the roots of the plant. Repeat for the others, using one gallon per plant.

Do crepe myrtles bloom twice a year?

Crape myrtle flowers on new growth of the season, so you can prune plants anytime during the late winter or early spring before the new growth emerges without loss of flower buds. ... On cultivars that bloom after mid-July, it is sometimes difficult to force a second bloom.

Do crepe myrtle trees have invasive roots?

Crepe Myrtle Root System: Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. ... You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

Can you plant crepe myrtles close to the house?

Often crape myrtle grows as a multistemmed small tree, with foliage limited to the upper half of the plant. ... As a general rule of thumb, plant crape myrtles of this mature size a minimum of 8 to 10 feet from a building wall, and farther if you can. This spacing gives the plant room to expand to its full size.

How long do crepe myrtles live?

Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that's the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.