when is the right time to prune crypt myrtle trees
by
Kathleen
3 answers
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The best time to trim is late winter or early spring - just before new growth starts. The last thing you want is to have a week or two of warmth where they start to emerge, Expand Text... followed by freezing temperatures that immediately kills them off. Be sure not to trim it down to the knuckles, as this is not a good procedure for crepes at all. Instead, leave a 6" or so stub that will support the two new branches that emerge from beneath the cut. When a crape myrtle is pruned back too far it has two effects. You reduce the blooms that will be produced during summer. Also, new branches will grow far too long and will not be able to support the weight of heavy blooms and will weep over and break. When a crape myrtle is pruned properly, it produces twice the number of branches and twice the number blooms as it did during the previous year and the new branches will be strong enough to support the blooms.
Brent B
on Feb 11, 2011
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They bloom on new growth, so cut before any growth occurs. Mine missed a couple of years trimming and they are HUGE. The branches sag from the weigh of the flowers and break off in high winds. So don't miss your trimming!
James A
on Feb 11, 2011
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Brent is correct, you can trim back pretty aggresivly and they fill out well the next year.
Sean W
on Feb 11, 2011
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