Crape Myrtles - The Myth About Pruning Crapes

A lot of us have always seen Crape Myrtles pruned back to three to four sticks. The idea that they should be pruned back heavily or they won't bloom, is a really bad practice. This improper pruning practice can and does cause severe damage to the tree. The truth is actually the opposite. Crape Myrtles should only be pruned to train for a desired shape or look, and for the removal of weak and damaged branches. Deadheading the dried bloom pods isn't even necessary for a Crape Myrtle to produce blooms.

Pruning a Crape Myrtle is meant only to train and shape. Once the canopy is formed and training is successful, you only need to remove small dead branches from the trunk of the tree and prune any weak lateral growing limbs and crossing branches.

These pictures show the damage that improper pruning has done to Crape Myrtle branches from bad pruning practices. Big ugly knots have formed at the section where pruning has been routinely repeated.

Pruning is Vital to Your Landscape Maintenance

When pruning, you should never remove more than a one-third of the tree at one pruning. You should always plan your pruning after a good rain fall. Heavy pruning during the summer months can weaken trees and cause death, so save all large pruning for the winter or early spring.

When more than a one-third of the trees’ canopy is removed, there is not enough foliage area to pull in nutrients needed for a tree to survive. Removing too much foliage forces the tree to rapidly replace its canopy, which can result in a weakened condition or even death. Trees and all plants’ root systems grow in sequence with their foliage or canopy, meaning every part is essential for the trees health. Careful consideration should be given to the species selected, to match the projected size of the mature plant. A well-chosen plant will not outgrow its boundaries and can be allowed to display its graceful beauty with minimal pruning.

Types of Crape Myrtles

There are Crape myrtles that mature between 5 and 15 feet in height, including 'Acoma' (white flowers), 'Hopi' (light pink), 'Comanchee' (dark pink), 'Zuni' (lavender) and 'Tonto' (red). These Crape Myrtles are also resistant to powdery mildew, a fungus that attacks and warps (distorts) the leaves. Compact Crape Myrtles between 30 inches and 6 feet tall include 'Hope' (white), 'Ozark Spring' (light purple, lavender) and 'Victor' (Red). It’s unfortunate, but the compact Crape Myrtles are not resistant to powdery mildew.

Crape Myrtles prefer hot sunny climates, and in Georgia they will grow to tree-size proportions. It is important that tree varieties are planted in areas where they have enough space to spread. When given an ideal location, these tree types should be allowed to develop their natural form without having their tops cut off.

Training Crape Myrtles

When training a Crape Myrtle, you should wait until the tree is at least six to eight feet in height unless low branching is your preference. Before starting any training cuts, the first cuts made should be across the branches at the 6 to 8 foot mark, slightly rounded 6 to 8 inches taller in the middle than on the outer branches. This will cause the tree to broaden its canopy starting at this height, and creates better base branching.

The second year you will need to evaluate the tree to see the effects of last year’s pruning and you will want to make your cuts about 18 to 24 inches above the last year’s cut. You’ll also want to fill in any gaps now by tip pruning in the open areas if there is an open area, this will promote growth into this area. The third year might require a cutback to let the weak side catch up to the better side. Look at the tree and determine the level at which the weak side is equal to the better side, then make your cuts. The fourth year should only require tip pruning at the top and removing small limbs and maybe a crossing branch or two.

We hope this Crape Myrtle pruning tip helps and you are never called a Crape Murderer. Dreamscapes can take care of all of your pruning needs. For our free estimate or if you want more information on pruning trees and shrubs please contact our pruning specialist.