Can you cut crepe myrtles below the knot?

Cutting crepe myrtle knots doesn’t resolve the problem. If you cut below the knot, a new knot forms in its place. The tree never reverts to its naturally beautiful shape, but through proper pruning of a crepe myrtle tree, you may be able to make the knots less noticeable.

Should you deadhead crepe myrtle trees?

Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth that is produced can be damaged by cold weather.

Can you cut a crape myrtle to the ground?

Unfortunately you must cut the tree completely to the ground, and don’t be surprised when it grows back VERY quickly. The next winter, select three to five well-spaced trunks, and cut off any others at ground level.

How far can you cut back a crepe myrtle?

about four to six feet
As your Crape myrtle grows, it will be necessary to remove low branches to raise the canopy. Do this by pruning out the side branches on the main trunks – do this up to a height of about four to six feet, but not up to a height of more than half of the total tree height.

Can you trim crepe myrtles with a chainsaw?

You must understand a Crepe Myrtle is a tree, not a shrub. Therefore, do not take a chainsaw and cut all limbs off shoulder high. This is not the correct way to prune a Crepe Myrtle. Treat the plant as a tree.

How often do you trim crepe myrtles?

Crape myrtles are actually low-maintenance when it comes to pruning. Usually crape myrtles only need light pruning once the shape of the plant is established. When pruning, remember that new growth will emerge 3 to 4 inches below where the limb is cut.

How do I get more flowers on my crepe myrtle?

Crape myrtles need to have new growth each spring in order to produce summer flowers. These flowers come on current-season growth, so late winter/early spring fertilization can aid crape myrtle flowering in the summer. It is not too late to fertilize this year if you haven’t yet.

How much can you trim a crepe myrtle?

As your Crape myrtle grows, it will be necessary to remove low branches to raise the canopy. Do this by pruning out the side branches on the main trunks – do this up to a height of about four to six feet, but not up to a height of more than half of the total tree height.

How tall should a crepe myrtle be?

Mature Size. The common crapemyrtle grows to a height of 15–25′ and a spread of 6–15′ at maturity.

What tool do you use to trim crepe myrtles?

You’re best off using anvil- or bypass-type hand pruners for cutting through crape myrtle branches with a diameter of up to 3/4 inch. Lopping shears, or loppers, have longer handles for greater leverage and reach, and can cut through branches up to 1 3/4 inches in diameter.

How do you keep crepe myrtles blooming?

Crape myrtles require eight hours of direct sun daily to bloom well. Crape myrtles planted in areas that receive less than six hours of direct sun do not get enough sunlight for adequate bloom development. – Variety. Some varieties don’t flower as vigorously as others.

Should you deadhead crape myrtle?

Should I remove old blooms from crepe myrtle?

ANSWER: Cutting the clusters of faded flowers or seed pods off is optional. Most gardeners consider deadheading crape myrtle trees more trouble than it’s worth, but it’s certainly something you may do. Sometimes it’s recommended to ensure another flush of late-summer blooms.

Should I prune my crape myrtles?

Now the good news is that Crape Myrtles are one darn tough plant. So the bottom line is if you make a mistake most likely your tree will recover in a few seasons. The reason you should prune your Crape Myrtles is because of one reason… blooms.

How do you make a multi stem crape myrtle tree?

To achieve the multi stem look, allow your Crape Myrtle to branch along the length of the stem. You may also want to leave a few suckers to grow into new stems as well.

What is ‘topping’ a crape myrtle called?

Results of “topping” a crape myrtle. The practice of chopping off the tops of crape myrtles, known as ‘topping’ is, unfortunately, very commonplace. Topping has been aptly named ‘Crape Murder’ by gardeners due to the murderous affect to the plants appearance resulting from the severe nature of the pruning.

What is a multi trunk crape myrtle bush?

Multi-Trunk. The multi trunk look for Crape Myrtles is probably the most common professional trimming approach. It is relied upon by lawn care services all over the country to establish beautiful Crape Myrtle bushes full of blooms each spring and summer for their clients.