Pruning crape myrtle? I used to be beneath the impression that pruning crape myrtle was a “don’t.” My native Cooperative Extension, nonetheless, despatched out only a bit meme that acknowledged that January is an atmosphere pleasant month for pruning many bushes, together with crape myrtle. I made a decision to evaluation and purchased proper right here up with these pruning fundamentals for the attractive if typically mis-pruned, crape myrtle.
Crape homicide.
It’s a phrase used to elucidate what occurs to poorly pruned crape myrtle timber. I’ve typically heard it used to elucidate the row of crape myrtles all through the financial institution parking lot in our metropolis. Yearly, any particular person hacks off the tops of the vegetation correct proper right into a flat-top crewcut to make the tall swish timber appear like a shrubby hedge. You may spot it a mile away; thick treetrunk stems, spindly shoots on extreme, a plant deformed by poor judgment and ignorance.
Pruning crape myrtles was as quickly as one issue I averted, nonetheless this yr, when the native Cooperative Extension Workplace despatched over only a bit meme itemizing shrubs to prune in January and I noticed crape myrtle listed, I made a decision to evaluation. I all the time thought pruning crepe myrtles was a ‘don’t’ like under no circumstances positioned on white sneakers before Mom’s Day or after Labor Day. Or is that moreover a don’t? My mom would have acknowledged it was a don’t.
Thought-about pruning of crape myrtle timber really helps them bloom elevated. Not like many different shrubs, crape myrtles bloom on new wooden. Which suggests the flowers you see over the summer time season develop on new shoots. Pruning stimulates the enlargement response, which evokes the principle trunks to push forth new stems and flowers.
My very private patch of crape myrtles, planted about 9 years before now, has change into fairly thick and overgrown. Terrified to commit crape homicide, I’ve let the vegetation ship us no matter shoots they selected to push skyward. I left the tangled mess of skinny stalks, earlier branches, and quite a few trunks to fend for themselves.
The correct choice to Prune Crape Myrtle
The intention of pruning crape myrtle is to open up the crown of the tree and permit mild and air to motion into. Start on the underside and reduce off any additional trunks and suckers. Then, cut back any crossing branches and inside branches. Take away skinny, weak, or diseased branches. Choose up all of the trimmings and branches and discard them all through the trash.
Step as soon as extra and pause. Go slowly. Frequently lower lower than you suppose. You may all the time lower extra off later nonetheless like a haircut on an individual, you will’t make it develop as soon as extra for a lot of who lop an excessive amount of off!
Some individuals like a lovely easy trunk for a tree sort on crape myrtle. To create a trunk-like affect, lower off the decrease branches.
Did you successfully prune your crape myrtle this yr? I plan to exit into the yard by late January for my pruning expedition. I’d prefer to take heed to the way in which through which you do alongside alongside along with your crape myrtle.
Merely keep in mind please…say no to ‘crape homicide’ and prune with care.
