What is the consensus when it concerns pruning crepe myrtle bushes/shrubs/trees? If they have grown to 10 feet or so without prior pruning is it advisable to cut them back to a height of about six feet in height and then annually cut off the new growth each winter or should they be left alone, if pruning has not been done at an early stage of growth. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
2007-02-08 14:52:06 · 6 answers · asked by gedanini3@yahoo.com 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
To Dragon: Fortunately we have no funds invested in our crepe myrtles but what you say makes a good bit of sense.
2007-02-10 16:40:04 · update #1
By cutting back the crepe myrtle you will encourage it to flower more prolifically. My parents do this every year and we get an excellent flush of flowers.
Alternatly, if you allow the tree to grow naturally, the trunk is the best feature. What have you got left when the tree drops its leaves. The trunk.
The only reason i would cut it back is if it is in the wrong spot or if requested to.
2007-02-12 11:05:56 · answer #1 · answered by pH neutralizer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should look back at old questions regarding this matter, you would find it interesting.
I'm a horticulturist and a garden designer and I thought people stopped cutting crepe myrtles down to 6ft and making a stunted mess in the 60's. As they come back into fashion again out come the neat freaks. If you can check out a tree that has had this done to it continually you can realise how ugly you can make a tree look. If you want a shrub buy a shrub size crepe myrtle, why buy a tree and then try to chop it down to a shrub. They don't get more flowers by the way, if you chop them right down.
Leave it alone and grow a lovely flowering tree, give it a light trim for shape if you must but they grow into a good shape themselves so why waste the time.
2007-02-08 17:42:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bush whackers will tell you they make their crepe myrtles unsightly with over pruning because pruning makes them flower more. these are of course the same people that like their hedges to look like spheres and cubes. i don't find this that credible an excuse and myrtles make nice trees when allowed to grow into a tree. a stand of old myrtles is much nicer than a stand of whacked myrtles.
2007-02-08 15:03:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can cut them anytime, but since it's been never I would recommend cutting them when it's cold while the sap isn't running , they will put out new growth each year, you can keep them trimmed to the large wood, or if you don't prune them they will still bloom from the old wood, expect, up to 25ft. tall according to the variety.
Denise
2007-02-08 15:22:17 · answer #4 · answered by Denise U 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you want a nice bushy tree, then prune it to your arm height in the winter, by summer the new growth will flower, you should do this until you reach the thickness you want. In my opinion this tree does not look nice when left as it will grow scraggly and look unkempt
2007-02-08 18:19:50 · answer #5 · answered by Val K 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Murder she will do............ I believe graduate trimming is best. I will not cut the whole 6 feet. You will need to do it (per foot) wise.... Trim away you stylist you..................
2007-02-08 14:56:11 · answer #6 · answered by goodtimes2x 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋