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We’ve all seen it — a once-beautiful Crepe Myrtle now cropped and chopped in a not-so-nice way. “Crepe murder” is often done because the tree is too big for its space or because people think it will make the tree bloom more heavily. But there are better ways — don’t commit a crime against a tree. Here’s how to prune Crepe Myrtles:
Why do people prune Crepe Myrtles poorly?
If you live in the Southeastern United States, you’ve probably seen hacked Crepe Myrtles while walking through your neighborhood. They’re chopped thickly, leaving large stubs instead of naturally tapered limbs. Some people prune their Crepe Myrtles harshly because they think it will promote more heavy blooming, while others may prune them this way simply because the tree grew too large. But chopping the limbs of your tree with a chainsaw to shorten it or to induce blooming actually produces “knuckles” on the tree. These knuckles lead to weak, drooping branches unable to support the tree’s beautiful flowers.
How should you prune Crepe Myrtles correctly?
- It’s best to prune in Winter before new growth starts.
- Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches.
- Thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation.
- Avoid topping or heading the tree, as this can lead to weak, leggy growth and reduced flowering.
How do I prevent poor pruning practices?
There are a few preventative measures you can take to avoid crepe murder. Starting before you purchase your tree, find out the mature height of your tree. Some Crepe Myrtle varieties only reach 15-20 feet while others can exceed 30 feet. If you have an existing Crepe Myrtle and you feel like it is getting too big, you can transplant it to give it some more room. Crepe Myrtles respond quite well to transplanting if done correctly!
Do your research, and remember that you can always cut more, but you cannot go back if you prune too much! And if you want the experts to handle your pruning for you, reach out to us! Our maintenance teams are highly skilled and can safely and accurately prune not only Crepe Myrtles, but all kinds of foliage. Book a consultation today!
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