When To Prune Crepe Myrtles

As the leaves drop, and the dormant season begins, it is the optimal time to prune Crepe Myrtles. Many varieties of Crepe Myrtles planted in our local landscapes become small trees, growing to a mature height exceeding 15 feet. When it comes to pruning these trees, do so for the same reasons you prune other species of trees. Remove deadwood or the occasional broken limb, remove crossing limbs that create wounds, raise the canopy for sidewalk or driveway clearance, or improving roof and building clearance. Frequently, Crepe Myrtles are improperly pruned in a method referred to as topping. Many avid tree lovers call the method Crepe Murder. Topping is the removal of all limbs to the previous year’s pruning scars. The scars are sometimes called knuckles. It is not clear when or where this pruning practice began, but knuckling is both harmful and ugly. Knucklers claim topping helps produce more blooms the following summer. However, research has debunked that statement. What it does cause is rapid unhealthy growth that is more susceptible to insect attack, and branching which is structurally inferior. The seedpods that remain on the plant after the leaves drop are occasionally an aesthetic thorn in the side of some Crepe Myrtle owners. These may be removed, but it is not

necessary. These pods will drop from the plant as the new

spring growth emerges.

Like other trees, Crepe Myrtles may be pruned at anytime of the year if need be. However, remember that they bloom on current year’s growth, and removal of current year’s growth will likely reduce the volume of flowers. For more information on pruning Crepe Myrtles, look over the following resources or call Arborilogical Services at 866-55-ARBOR or 866 552-7267.

Pruning Mature Trees:

http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_mature.aspx

Crepe Myrtle Pruning, by Steve Houser:

http://www.arborilogical.com/how-tos/how-to-prune-a-crepe-myrtle

MY NEIGHBORS ARE PRUNING THEIR CREPE MYRTLES.

IS IT TIME TO PRUNE THEM?

by Ben Thomas – I.S.A. Certified Arborist

As the leaves drop, and the dormant season begins, it is theoptimal time to prune Crepe Myrtles. Many varieties of CrepeMyrtles planted in our local landscapes become small trees,growing to a mature height exceeding 15 feet. When it comes topruning these trees, do so for the same reasons you prune otherspecies of trees. Remove deadwood or the occasional brokenlimb, remove crossing limbs that create wounds, raise the canopyfor sidewalk or driveway clearance, or improving roof andbuilding clearance.Frequently, Crepe Myrtles are improperly pruned in amethod referred to as topping. Many avid tree lovers call themethod Crepe Murder. Topping is the removal of all limbs to theprevious year’s pruning scars. The scars are sometimes calledknuckles. It is not clear when or where this pruning practicebegan, but knuckling is both harmful and ugly. Knucklers claimtopping helps produce more blooms the following summer.However, research has debunked that statement. What it doescause is rapid unhealthy growth that is more susceptible to insectattack, and branching which is structurally inferior.The seedpods that remain on the plant after the leavesdrop are occasionally an aesthetic thorn in the side of someCrepe Myrtle owners. These may be removed, but it is notnecessary. These pods will drop from the plant as the newspring growth emerges.Like other trees, Crepe Myrtles may be pruned at anytimeof the year if need be. However, remember that they bloom oncurrent year’s growth, and removal of current year’s growth willlikely reduce the volume of flowers. For more information onpruning Crepe Myrtles, look over the following resources orcall ArborilogicalTM Service at 866-55-ARBOR or 866 552-7267.Pruning Mature Trees:http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/pruning_mature.aspxCrepe Myrtle Pruning, by Steve Houser:http://arborilogical.com/articles/crepe_myrtle_pruning.htmMY NEIGHBORS ARE PRUNING THEIR CREPE MYRTLES.IS IT TIME TO PRUNE THEM?by Ben Thomas – I.S.A. Certified Arborist

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