Crepe Myrtles in Dallas

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by tycobb2522

It's funny; when I see a really thick branch or trunk with multiple skinny little shoots all coming out of it, I can't help but think of the classic poodle haircut. I would have to say that out of all of the landscape atrocities committed by property owners, this practice is the most tasteless.

Followed closely by the overuse of the ubiquitous and incredibly boring Bradford Pear and red-tip Photenia.

NO KIDDING!!!

I can not STAND when people commit Crepe Murder. It is HORRIBLE!!! It does NOT make for a healthy tree or plant at all. It takes a lot of hard work to get a CM that has been hacked up back to looking "normal" and sometimes they never recover.

URGH!!! Bradford Pears. Okay so they grow fast. They also DIE FAST!!! They are SEVERLY prone to wind damage due to their structure. Not a good tree at all. Red-tips, I wish the garden centers would stop selling those things. People that buy them and plant them right up next to their foundation and then let them grow to the eaves. URGH!!!

Okay, as far as fruit bearing trees we do have plenty. As was mentioned earlier Pears and Peaches are the most common and do give some of THE BEST fruits you will ever taste. I'd say now is a good time to head down to Fredericksburg. YUM!!! Fresh Peaches, ain't nothin better.

Other options for growing your own fruit are: Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, cantalope, watermelon. Tons of veggies can be grown here in Texas as well.

[Grainraiser]

I like Bradford Pears but they are way over planted and there lifespan is not very long. The angle of the branches make them very prone to splitting in a wind storm (we have many in my neighborhood). Red tips are okay if you need a quick screen but planting them next to a house is a big no no. They also are very prone to mildew disease and should be planted in area were they can get alot of air circulation. I learned my lesson with using the wrong plants and will never go down that road again.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by tycobb2522

Followed closely by the overuse of the ubiquitous and incredibly boring Bradford Pear and red-tip Photenia.

These 2 rank right up there with the old Fruitless Mulberry trees of the 50's & 60's. Bradford Pears split after 8-12 years and were way over used back in the 90's.

[Lakewooder]

BTW went to Farmer's Market yesterday - got some Lemley's vine ripe tomatos and found some good peaches there too...lots of other goodies.

I think the bradford pears became ubiquitous in the early to mid 1980s RE boom (photinas were really hot then too).

[FarNorthDallas]

Apparently none of you people have a parking spot underneath a crepe myrtle.

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Apparently none of you people have a parking spot underneath a crepe myrtle.

Nope. They anchor the house like most do. I do have a parking spot under an oak.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

Apparently none of you people have a parking spot underneath a crepe myrtle.

Let's don't even talk about the stuff that falls out of Pecan Trees. Now that's a mess.

[PlanoGirl]

I LOVE untouched crepe mrtyles!....ESPECIALLY in the winter...a bare un-cut CM tree can look like a work of art when their bark falls off.

Bradford Pears are crap! I think every tree I saw blown down or split in two by the storms this years was one of these.

We finally have the ridiculous red-tipped photinias the lined the front of our house (a pruning nightmare!) removed completely. I sure when they were first planted 25 years ago they were lovely little shrubs...but if left alone, they would be twice the height of my house!
Sad thing is my new neighbor just "filled out" their flower beds with lots and lots of plants...although the previous owners had it re-landscaped before they moved, and spaced plants out appropriately allowing room for the new plants to mature. But I guess the new owners wanted it more full fast...but obviously have no idea that the bushes they planted 1 foot from each other are destined to grow into 6 x 6 ft monsters!!! That's gonna be a pruning nightmare real quickly~!