crepe myrtle trimming (tree, crape, myrtles, spring)

[tramp]

My crape myrtle tree is not blooming anymore and it still has unopened green seeds. These are making the limbs hang way down. Do I cut these off at the end of the limb or leave them on?

[North Beach Person]

The last couple years it seems that crepes have gotten weird about blooming. Having said that, it's almost impossible to have them not bloom.

If you cut those off it's a guarantee they won't bloom.

Contrary to what old farts tell you, and still practice, cutting them off to nubs just ends up killing them.

Crepes typically are shaped, not pruned.

I'd leave them alone and do some shaping, if anything, in the Spring.

[tramp]

This is what I am talking about. They are hanging about 4 ft. off the ground.

[Reactionary]

Personally, I'd leave them alone and let them bloom. I trim mine if they touch the ground, have crossing branches, or get in my way. As North Beach Person said, don't 'crepe murder' them by cutting back to nubs.

[Dirt Grinder]

I pruned mine level with the ground.

[QuilterChick]

Leave them as is ! if there are 'suckers' around the bottom, definitely cut those off.


But don't prune Crepe Myrtles until about March.

[Reactionary]

LOL Dirt Grinder. You're a terrible person.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

I pruned mine level with the ground.

Originally Posted by Reactionary

LOL Dirt Grinder. You're a terrible person.

Crepe myrtles can be quite lovely when pruned back close to the ground each year. It results in a bush growth formation rather than a tree. I had an office once where they were done like that. I do not know what variety they are.

[wit-nit]

Late winter is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.
Crepe Myrtle Pruning Step-by-Step - Southern Living

[Dirt Grinder]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

Crepe myrtles can be quite lovely when pruned back close to the ground each year. It results in a bush growth formation rather than a tree. I had an office once where they were done like that. I do not know what variety they are.

I was hoping pruning to the ground would kill them. However, it just caused the roots to send up hundreds of shoots.