How/when do I prune a crepe myrtle tree to make it lower and bushier rather than tall?

Question

A beautiful Crepe Myrtle tree has grown wild in my back yard. It is about 12-16 ft tall. I would like to have it busher and fuller at the bottom.

Answer 1

Hmmmm I agree - why would you want to do that to a Crepe Myrtle. There are many species of this tree, some are very low growing and others get to 60'. ( zone 9 ) Most landscapers prefer to trim back the Myrle's so they are bushy and produce more flowers. However, that is an illusion. It appears that way because the blossoms are at your height, not 20 to 60 feet up in the air.
Also, more evidence is in from Agr. sites that the constant cutting back causes bark to crack and dead wood to form in the
centers. If you do it, only do it every several years. If you want more detailed information send me an eamil.

Answer 2

I can't imagine why you would want to do that to a Crepe Myrtle, but to each his own. FYI--a Myrtle that tall, in good shape, is worth several thousand dollars. Keep that in mind before you start cutting away.

But,,,,,,,ok,,,,if you're determined to do it, start by doing it in the winter months so as to not damage the new growth that it depends on to generate nutrients for the year. Also be careful not to open up the center too much. Myrtle trunks and bark prefer filtered light, and it needs the canopy for shade. Finally, avoid taking more than 1/3 of the branch mass in any one year. (This is not some rule, but I've noticed over the years that it produces bad results if you take more.) Make your cuts several inches from a fork in a branch, then come back with a fine tooth saw to make a final clean cut just above the collar (faint wood ring where the branch sprouted out from. Nobody that I know off makes flush cuts anymore.) Take branches that are rubbing against another branch first. Last--don't try to reshape the entire tree in one year. Take in a direction, let it grow out, then adjust your plan. But PLEASE don't "top" it. (Lopping off the center vertical branches.) Although Myrtles can tolerate it, it always always a bad thing. Be conservative beacuse Myrtles are slow growing and mistakes can't really be fixed. Good luck.

(I just noticed gravefinder's answer--I agree that Fall is a good time to prune, but I prefer Winter. The advantage of Fall, however, is that it's easier to identify dead branches.)

Answer 3

I am sure he wants to do it for the same reason I do. They were there when I bought the house and they block windows. They were even planted around the pool and they are 20 Ft tall plus. I really need to cut them back quite severely. I have put off doing it but it is needed.

Answer 4

I actually found a crepe myrtle bush.

Answer 5

Prune anytime - but FALL is best.
Cut limbs back to where it (the tree) has created 'y' joints.
Be certain to use only very sharp/clean pruner.

It's gunna be beautiful . . .