If you want beautiful blooms and a strong structure for your crepe myrtle, you need to know how to prune crepe myrtle trees correctly. This guide covers expert pruning techniques for these popular landscape plants, helping you avoid common mistakes and promote healthy growth.
Many people prune their crepe myrtles too hard, a practice often called “crepe murder.” This leads to weak, knobby growth and fewer flowers. With the right approach, you can enhance the tree’s natural shape and enjoy a spectacular summer show.
How to Prune Crepe Myrtle Trees
Proper pruning is about making thoughtful cuts for the tree’s long-term health. The goal is to open up the canopy, remove problem branches, and encourage flowering wood. You should do this during the tree’s dormant season, in late winter or very early spring before new leaves emerge.
This timing gives the tree time to heal before the main growing season starts. It also allows you to see the branch structure clearly. Let’s look at the tools you’ll need first.
Essential Tools for the Job
Using clean, sharp tools is non-negotiable. It makes cleaner cuts that heal faster and prevents the spread of disease between plants. Here’s what you should have ready:
- Hand Pruners (Bypass Style): For small twigs and branches up to about 1/2 inch thick.
- Loppers: For branches between 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The long handles give you leverage.
- Pruning Saw: A sharp saw is needed for any larger branches, usually over 1.5 inches thick.
- Disinfectant: Rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to clean your tools before you start and between trees.
- Safety Gear: Gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes.
Step-by-Step Pruning Process
Follow these steps in order. Start with the big picture and work your way down to the finer details.
Step 1: Remove Suckers and Basal Shoots
Look at the base of the tree. Remove any thin, whip-like shoots growing up from the roots (suckers) or from the lower trunk (basal shoots). These drain energy and won’t develop into proper structural branches. Cut them off flush with the trunk or ground.
Step 2: Eliminate Competing Trunks
Aim for 3 to 7 main trunks for a classic, multi-stemmed look. If your tree has more, choose the weakest or most poorly spaced ones to remove. Cut these selected trunks all the way back to the ground level. This opens the center of the tree to light and air.
Step 3: Clear Out Interior Growth
Look inside the canopy for branches that are growing inward, crossing over each other, or rubbing together. Remove these completely. Also, cut off any small, twiggy branches that are growing toward the center of the tree. The goal is to create an open, vase-like structure.
Step 4: Address the Main Branches
Now, look at the branches coming off your main trunks. You want to remove any that are too low or growing at awkward angles. A good rule is to remove side branches from the lower third to half of the tree’s height, especially any thinner than a pencil. This lifts the canopy.
Step 5: Tip Prune for Blooms
Finally, look at the ends of the branches. Crepe myrtles flower on new growth. To encourage more blooming wood, you can lightly tip prune. Simply snip off the last 6 to 12 inches of the branch tips, cutting back to a bud that is pointing outward. Never cut back to thick, old wood just to control height.
What to Avoid: “Crepe Murder”
This is the critical mistake. It involves chopping all the tops off the tree, leaving thick, blunt stubs. This practice is harmful for several reasons:
- It forces out many weak, spindly shoots that can’t support flower clusters.
- It creates ugly, knuckled scars that don’t heal well.
- It makes the tree more susceptible to disease and insect damage.
- It actually reduces the number of flowers and delays blooming.
A properly pruned crepe myrtle should never look like it had a drastic haircut. Its natural, graceful form should remain intact.
Pruning Young vs. Mature Trees
Your strategy changes slightly depending on the tree’s age.
For a young tree (first 3 years), focus on establishing structure. Choose your main trunks and remove others. Prune lightly to encourage a strong framework. This is the time to shape its future form.
For a mature tree that has been neglected or “murdered” for years, rehabilitation takes time. You can’t fix it in one season. Over 2-3 years, gradually remove the knobby stubs by cutting them back to a side branch that is at least as thick as your thumb. Encourage new, strong leaders to take over.
Seasonal Pruning Tips
While major pruning is a late-winter task, there are other seasonal considerations.
- Spring/Summer: You can lightly pinch or snip off spent flower clusters (deadheading) to encourage a second flush of blooms. Also, remove any new suckers as they appear.
- Fall: Avoid pruning in fall. New growth stimulated at this time won’t harden off before frost and could be damaged.
Aftercare Following Pruning
Your tree doesn’t need much special care after a proper prune. Water it during extended dry periods, especially in the first growing season after a significant pruning. Avoid the temptation to over-fertilize; a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Too much nitrogen leads to lots of leaves and fewer flowers.
Common Problems Pruning Can Solve
Strategic pruning addresses several issues:
- Poor Airflow: Thinning the interior reduces humidity inside the canopy, helping prevent powdery mildew.
- Weak Growth: Removing crossing branches prevents wounds from rubbing, which are entry points for pests.
- Low Canopy: Raising the canopy by removing lower branches keeps walkways clear and improves the tree’s appearance.
- Overcrowding: Thinning trunks allows sunlight to reach all parts of the tree, promoting even flowering and health.
FAQ: Expert Pruning Techniques for Crepe Myrtles
What is the best month to prune crepe myrtles?
Late February through March is generally ideal for most climates. The key is to prune while the tree is still dormant but just before spring growth begins.
Can I prune my crepe myrtle in summer?
You should not do major structural pruning in summer. However, it’s fine to deadhead (remove old blooms) to promote more flowering and to remove any suckers that pop up.
How much can I cut back a crepe myrtle?
You should rarely, if ever, cut back large branches more than about 1-2 inches in diameter. Focus on removing entire branches or twigs rather than stubbing back large limbs. Never cut back more than 20-30% of the canopy in a single year.
My crepe myrtle was topped last year. How do I fix it?
Don’t top it again. Choose 3-5 of the strongest new shoots from each stub to become the new leaders. Remove all the other weak sprouts. Next year, prune to further encourage those leaders. It may take several seasons to regain a natural shape.
Do crepe myrtles need to be pruned to bloom?
No, they will bloom without pruning. However, careful pruning increases the number of blooms and their size by directing the plant’s energy into stronger flowering wood. It also improves air circulation, which keeps the plant healthier overall.
What if my crepe myrtle is too tall for its space?
This means the wrong variety was planted. Pruning to control height creates long-term problems. Consider having the tree removed and replaced with a dwarf or semi-dwarf cultivar that naturally fits the space. This is a better solution than fighting it’s natural size every year.
Mastering how to prune crepe myrtle trees is a rewarding skill. It preserves their elegant, year-round structure and ensures a stunning display of summer color. Remember, good pruning is often about what you remove, not how much. By following these expert pruning techniques for crepe myrtles, you’ll have a healthier, more beautiful tree for many years to come. Grab your sharp tools this late winter and give your tree the care it deserves.