How Often Should You Water Crape Myrtle

You lot might be wondering.. How should I prune my Crape Myrtles similar the pros exercise.

No worries, this is a common question we get and by the end of this commodity you'll understand how to prune your crepe myrtle trees without making the same mistakes you've seen your neighbors make.

Offset things first

Yous need to make up one's mind what look you would like for your tree to accept

Unmarried Trunk
Multi Stalk
Natural Look

Now the good news is that Crape Myrtles are ane darn tough plant. And then the bottom line is if you make a error most likely your tree will recover in a few seasons.

Virtually people don't know this

The reason y'all should prune your Crape Myrtles is because of one reason… blooms.

Only the new growth each twelvemonth is what produces those lovely blooms that you lot adore each spring and summer.

So with that being said, it pays to prune your Crape Myrtles in the winter months as soon equally November at as late at March when they are dormant.

The good news is most Crape Myrtles can be pruned with manus held shears or long handles loppers. If yours are way out of control, so a chainsaw might exist necessary in the almost farthermost cases.

So now on to the good stuff.

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When y'all prune your Crape Myrtle the proper style information technology will will maximize blooms, promote new growth and give your plant a great shape.

That said.. Your pruning is done in winter when the Crape Myrtle is dormant, between the months of December and February.

The good news is that super aggressive pruning that you might have seen around boondocks is not actually needed to get a beautiful, good for you plant. Motion-picture show Film Moving picture

Simply that's simply office of the story.

You need to know almost "Crape Murder"

"Crape Murder" is what the pros say describe the butchering of Crape Myrtles.

What's more… When Crape Murder is committed it tin can literally announced that half, or more, of the plant has been removed.

On the one hand... This technique is used past some no professional landscapers and homeowners because it's quick, fairly easy, the plant nearly always recovers.. Fair enough , BUT This technique is NOT recommended every bit information technology may damage you plant. OK… that's fine you say… just meanwhile you might be wondering "What are Suckers?"

Simply put .. the "Suckers" are the new growth that comes from the base of the trunk.

Most professional backyard care services and homeowners who know what they are doing will prune these off.

At present with that being said , if you want your Crape Myrtle to have a more "natural" wait or would maybe would even prefer for it to grow multiple trunks, so the skillful news is you lot can get out some of the suckers to grow up. The all-time part? Blooms will appear on new growth suckers.

Now…these are your Crape Myrtle's… So it's up to you how y'all would similar for them to look. But it helps to identify which pruning style meets your platonic expect, so go along reading to find out more about the 3 main pruning styles.

The Unmarried Trunk

In my opinion , the single trunk Crape Myrtle is i of the more beautiful shapes the tree can take on with proper pruning, however, will require the most investment in pruning each year.

Why is the instance? First you'll need to remove any extra stems protruding from the basis, too every bit any suckers.

Next you lot what all of the tree's branching to happen at the tiptop quarter of your tree. That said, yous'll need to pick a dominant single trunk for the tree, and prune away another others at the base of operations.

If yous cull the single trunk method its best to get-go while the Crape Myrtle tree is younger as more established trees most probable can not be retroactively pruned to this manner and shape.

Multi-Trunk

The multi trunk look for Crape Myrtles is probably the virtually mutual professional trimming arroyo. It is relied upon by lawn care services all over the land to institute cute Crape Myrtle bushes total of blooms each spring and summer for their clients.

Then to make a point… to achieve the multi stalk wait, let your Crape Myrtle to branch forth the length of the stem and follow these steps

Try to prune subsequently in winter, February is ideal.
Cutting off suckers from the bottom, rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inwards.
Gradually cutting off all side branches from the chief base of operations every bit the tree gets taller.
Never go out lone or clustered stubs.
Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they go also thick (thickness of a pencil).

Finally… The Natural Look

So you might not know this just allowing your Crape Myrtle to grow into its natural shape has been the tendency in contempo years. And then the good news is you tin tell that to your neighbors and fifty-fifty better this approach requires little to no pruning.

It's easy.. Only permit your plant to branch and spread naturally. Your Crape Myrtle will still blossom and be beautiful so long as information technology's watered and fertilized properly

The bottom line is….

Crape Myrtles are one of the most resilient and prune-able plants I take e'er seen. And then its really but a matter of your preference how much time and endeavor you are willing to invest into heir pruning and care. There's really no "wrong" way to exercise it, so experiment and have fun!

Meanwhile… I'll leave you with a helpful how to video on pruning your Crape Myrtles.