Introduction
Pruning crape myrtles is not only about randomly taking it to task with a snip here and clip there. Elegant, colorful and unique blossoms characterize these trees, which are in need of a person with certain aptitudes to take care of it.
Pruning Basics:
Pruning is not maintenance-pruning is sculpture on the tree. And when you prune crape myrtles correctly, the tree blossoms more and grows stronger stems for a better formed structure that stands tall in summer heat and humidity. Yet we all too often see the sad product of botanical butchery now – regretful former shrubs turned into hideous stumps that would make any gardener cry.
Timing and Technique:
In the South, where crape myrtles are treasured landscape assets, it’s all about timing and technique. As we attempt to find the CMBS in our trees, seasonal rhythms and goals must also play a part. But in reality, some carefully chosen times and a precise set of techniques will allow us to design our crape myrtles for year long showstoppers that continue serving lewks with their over-the-top blooms!Finally, pruning crape myrtles is not merely the work to do, but it is also a responsibility for retaining its natural elegance and vitality. Let us take an in-depth look at the basics and put some timing and technique into our endeavors to turn these trees into what they were intended to be. So, as we step forth on this journey, let us take care to make each snip and cut a blessing upon the hardy gives of our hearts.
Pruning Crapemyrtles
It being that pruning crape myrtles is an art and must be done with some degrss of care. It is important to know the growth habit of these trees, blooming on new wood means they bloom only on this years branches. Therefore, pruning needs to be done at just the right time – generally in early spring while trees are still dormant but entering into a state of breaking dormancy as temperatures become warmer.
Timing is Key
It is important to prune them at the right time. Some people may wish to prune in the fall, but pruning before spring arrives is recommended as winter damage can occur with a loss of current years growth that acts like an insulation blanket.
Shaping for Beauty and Health
The concern is not with where you are pruning, rather how are shaping the tree to maintain its aesthetic look while keeping it healthy. Better air circulation and sunlight penetration improves overall tree health when you trim away ganglier branches from the top of your apple or pear. Eschew the siren call to exert severe height control by hacking backs mature specimens into stumpy submission and thereby force growth in such dense conditions that it dilutes an assets natural aesthetic forms.
Experience and Caution
Pruning, like anything to do with gardening is a very gentle process and requires “Green thumb” eyes. Make cuts conservatively and try to observe the natural form of the tree before committing. Keep in mind it’s easier to trim more later than fix your over-pruning way By caring for and cutting back crape myrtles with concern, you can own a long-lived tree that looks good.
Pruning Myrtles Tools
The essential tools for pruning myrtles help to perform maintenance efficaciously and efficiently. All of the tools have a unique job they need to accomplish which touches on each different form of trimming and also tree shaping.
Essential Equipment
When pruning myrtles, a Coarse Toothed Saw is especially helpful in cutting through dense wood and larger branches. Whereas a Fine Toothed Saw provides accuracy of trimming finer segments. Lopping shears for tall trees; hand pruners – small stems. A Pole Pruner is great for hard to reach spots.
Proper Usage
The number one factor to keep in mind with pruning tools is safety. Always wear PPE and take care not to damage surrounding growth. After the Botrytis episode, we regularly disinfect tools after use, particularly when dealing with diseased or infested plants. Remember, it is important to be meticulous – prune responsibly so you are not overpruning.
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Reviving a Butchered Crepe Myrtle
How many crape myrtles that look like stumps have you witnessed in your life, personally? Unfortunately, these hardy plants will still recover and they come up weakly with a less attractive appearance. The other thing it frequently does is to remove the lovely, mottled bark that contributes so much of their allure. Pruning: Key to Health and Beauty Prune your tree too hard, edging out the natural shape of a fir or spruce for example), you compromise health.
Understanding the Damage
In an extreme case, over-pruning ruins its structure with crooked and diseased branches. Stems which poke oddly or appear out of place need also to be identified, and tackled selectively. For these reasons, radical pruning is likely to do more harm than good and often leads not only to poor regrowth but also an increase in the problems with which your plant presents.
Restoration Techniques
If you want to save a butchered crape myrtle, first assess how severe the damage is. Drastic reduction should only be used for stems that are disrupting the harmony of form about the tree. Cut back lower branches for a tree like appearance, leaving room under the main canopy.
Pruning Strategies
In pruning, let the tree be hale and hearty for better balance branches growth that encourage developments {}’. Rubbing and crossing branches too, rub against each other which can remove bark or cause damage to the shrub – neither is good for healthy growth. Not only does it make the tree look better, but thinning helps air circulation and sunlight get to every branch which is important for reducing diseases like powdery mildew.
From what I have seen, it is not easy to salvage a butchered crape myrtle. With the correct pruning techniques, and time for recovery; it is possible to return your tree back to its former glory and achieve overall health in the long term.
Crape Myrtles: A Guide to Proper Care
Crape myrtles are celebrated for their colorful blooms and charming shape, yet trimming them is viewed as a hot button topic. Today we are covering the dos and donts with these beautiful trees. 
Correct Way of Crape Myrtle
Creating an Open Framework Pruning crape myrtles is a true art and pruning them the right way can have many advantages! The correct way is to thin branches in order to keep the tree from developing its natural shape and form. Do snip off lower limbs smaller than a pencil diameter to protect the tree and allow it grow with grace. Though not absolutely necessary, knowing when and how to prune are vital gardening skills.
Incorrect Way of Crape Myrtle
Not only is over-pruning (so-called “crape murder”) unsightly but it weakens the tree making them more prone to diseases and pests. Heavy pruning can cause unattractive stumps and keep mature trunks from developing the beautiful, mottled bark. This error has the added bonus of generating a spirey arsenal of tiddly shoots at all stems which are as underpowered, thin and limp to support flowers.
The Right Way to Care for Crape Myrtles
Unfortunately, a lot of crape myrtles have been pruned to the point where they look absolutely ridiculous and it’s insulting to us gardeners that someone would consider this is proper pruning. Rather, manage the number of trunks as needed and always go back to a larger trunk branch just above ground level. Finally, cleaning the basal suckers that could have reverted to terminate it from growing obnoxious and bushy.
To ensure that the magnificence of your tree stays intact, you will need to tackle it branch by branch starting from the bottom and working up. Parents dealing with a naturally climbing tree have to do some serious pruning: At least all limbs extending from the trunk below 5 feet and those growing inward towards the center of a deciduous should be cut off before other tricks are attempted. Following these pointers will surely keep your crape myrtle in good health and looking beautiful.
