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Started By
Message
Crepe Myrtles
Posted on 3/3/23 at 8:59 am
Posted on 3/3/23 at 8:59 am
I have noticed some of neighbors trimming their trees way back. Is this a good thing to do for the trees? Is this done to make them look better when they grow out?
This post was edited on 3/3/23 at 9:00 am
9
Posted on 3/3/23 at 9:09 am to TigerKurt
Depends on if they are properly pruning them or performing the infamous “crepe murder”
This post was edited on 3/3/23 at 9:59 am
Posted on 3/3/23 at 9:16 am to TigerKurt
Prune 
it like you would any other tree, don;t commit crepe murder like this...
it like you would any other tree, don;t commit crepe murder like this...Posted on 3/3/23 at 9:50 am to TigerKurt
Just prune anything smaller than 1/2". Really supposed to do the pruning in January to early February before they start growing.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 10:15 am to Shexter
The home I recently bought has a Crepe Myrtle that was a victim of that murder.. knobby ends and all.
Is it possible to get it to grow back in a more natural shape? Last month I pruned it by cutting anything about 1/4" and smaller, as well as some of the slightly larger branches (that grew in summer 2022) that were pointing back into the middle of the tree. All-in-all I didn't cut much back and am hoping it can regain some of its natural shape.
Is it possible to get it to grow back in a more natural shape? Last month I pruned it by cutting anything about 1/4" and smaller, as well as some of the slightly larger branches (that grew in summer 2022) that were pointing back into the middle of the tree. All-in-all I didn't cut much back and am hoping it can regain some of its natural shape.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 10:18 am to SM6
quote:
The home I recently bought has a Crepe Myrtle that was a victim of that murder.. knobby ends and all. Is it possible to get it to grow back in a more natural shape?
A picture would help, but it’s really hard to recover from a crepe murder IMO.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 10:45 am to TigerKurt
This is very popular in Texas.
To me all these trees should be cut down, I hate them more than any other landscaping item
To me all these trees should be cut down, I hate them more than any other landscaping item
Posted on 3/3/23 at 10:58 am to TigerKurt
I cut mine every Valentine's Day........except this year b/c I forgot.
Seems to keep them tidy. Plus I have an overhead power line and would rather not frick my neighbors
Seems to keep them tidy. Plus I have an overhead power line and would rather not frick my neighbors
Posted on 3/3/23 at 11:05 am to SM6
Similar situation here, a home we purchased had a mutilated Crepe Myrtle in the front yard and there was no saving it. The cut ends had basically formed a big fist looking piece, with multiple branches shooting out of it like the picture below.
I ended up cutting it, trying to kill it(I failed), pulling the stump, and grinding the area. I still get crepe myrtle shoots popping up all the time.
I ended up cutting it, trying to kill it(I failed), pulling the stump, and grinding the area. I still get crepe myrtle shoots popping up all the time.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 11:48 am to TigerKurt
If theyre near your foundation, rip them out the ground ASAP
Posted on 3/3/23 at 11:55 am to SM6
quote:
Is it possible to get it to grow back in a more natural shape?
Cut it below the big knot. The big knot is there because they were cutting it to the same exact spot every year.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:01 pm to TigerKurt
I have had crepe myrtles at several properties my entire life and always get compliments. I only trim small offshoots growing too low below the main canopy and of course any new sprouts out of the ground. Two of mine are so thick and strong we have a two person hammock between them sometimes and they don’t budge with 300+ Lbs on it.
ETA:
I also fertilize them once a year and we keep our old coffee grounds to throw on their base.
Also trim dead branches off but that’s any tree/bush really.
ETA:
I also fertilize them once a year and we keep our old coffee grounds to throw on their base.
Also trim dead branches off but that’s any tree/bush really.
This post was edited on 3/3/23 at 1:04 pm
Posted on 3/3/23 at 1:12 pm to Shexter
quote:
Cut it below the big knot. The big knot is there because they were cutting it to the same exact spot every year.
This. And when 10 shoots develop be selective which ones you leave next year and train them. Will look funny temporarily but better than those huge nubs.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 3:10 pm to LSU-MNCBABY
quote:
I hate them more than any other landscaping item
This - they look nice on someone else's property at least 100 yards from your property.
Posted on 3/3/23 at 3:37 pm to SM6
quote:
Is it possible to get it to grow back in a more natural shape?
It never returns to a beautiful tree.....it will flower, but the shape is forever lost. So never commit crape murder!
Posted on 3/3/23 at 8:54 pm to TigerKurt
I was told, and have done so, to prune a Crepe Myrtle to see "through" it...The murderers seem to prune to see over it.
Posted on 3/4/23 at 5:01 pm to CatfishJohn
quote:
I have had crepe myrtles at several properties my entire life and always get compliments.
The key is to do some research beforehand and buying the best variety for what/where you intend to plant it.
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