Can I prune crepe myrtles in January

The proper time to prune crape myrtle is late winter (January-February). Since crape myrtles form their flowers on new growth, there is no danger of removing already-formed buds.

Can you trim crepe myrtles in the winter?

Late winter (right now) is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it’s leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won’t reduce blooming.

Is it too late to trim crepe myrtle trees?

It’s not too late to prune your crape myrtles now. … If leaves have not yet or have just barely appeared, you’re safe to prune with little effect. Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.

What month do you prune crepe myrtles?

If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming.

Can you cut back crepe myrtles in December?

When you prune your Crape Myrtle the proper way it will will maximize blooms, promote new growth and give your plant a great shape. … Your pruning is done in winter when the Crape Myrtle is dormant, between the months of December and February.

How do you prune a crepe myrtle that is too tall?

If heavy-pruning your too-tall crape is an annual ritual, transplant it, if possible, and replace it with a shorter variety. If it’s only a bit too tall, prune the top branches back 2 feet to a side branch. But don’t leave stubs.

What happens if you don't cut back crepe myrtles?

Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it’s done, it ruins the tree’s graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.

Can I trim crepe myrtles in summer?

Pruning crepe myrtles in summer is not the optimal time of year to trim your trees, unless you wait until after they bloom. … Floridata notes that some cultivars continue to bloom for as long as 120 days, making this tree or large shrub a popular landscape plant.

How do you prepare a crepe myrtle for winter?

It is advisable to wrap young (1 year or less) and small Crepe Myrtle trees. Wrap burlap around the branches and then add an insulating filler such as leaves or straw to provide additional protection. Use bush jackets for dwarf plants. Bush jackets are reusable insulating covers that cover the plant.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

Crepe myrtles will grow back when cut, although it isn’t necessary to prune them all the way down to the ground.

Article first time published on

Should crepe myrtles be topped?

Topping a crape myrtle destroys the natural balance and beauty of the tree. Improperly trimmed multi-trunk crape myrtles have weakend immune responses and cannot fight off disease and insects as well. As the topping continues, the crape myrtles can respond by growing more trunks, worsening the problem.

How tall should a crepe myrtle be?

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

Do crepe myrtles turn brown in winter?

The crepe myrtle in winter will have no leaves. They are deciduous shrubs, so their leaves change color and eventually die and fall off in autumn.

How long does it take a crepe myrtle to grow after pruning?

Renewal pruning, or cutting the tree’s base down to the ground, will allow the tree to have a fresh start, and it will rapidly grow back healthy and strong in two-three years.

Why do they cut the tops off crepe myrtles?

Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. … Fall pruning not only creates an unattractive look for winter but also removes the current year’s growth as a buffer against any potential winter damage.

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. … Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft. (6 m) taller than the bushes.

What if my crepe myrtle is too tall?

If your crape myrtle does become too tall for its location, you can prune the tree back to a more appropriate height– just don’t make this a regular practice each year. It will take a little more time to prune correctly, but you will end up with a beautiful tree.

When should I winterize my crepe myrtles?

Crape myrtles have beautiful blooms through the warm months of summer, and fall is the best time to prepare them to survive the harsh winter.

What kills crepe myrtle?

Triclopyr. Triclopyr-based herbicides cause supressed or abnormal growth that disrupts and eventually kills the crape myrtle. The herbicide may be applied to the foliage, the roots, or both. As with other broadleaf herbicides, crape myrtle trees absorb the poison and circulate it, causing the tree to die.

How cold can crape myrtles tolerate?

Most crape myrtle varieties are winter hardy to zone 7, which corresponds to a minimum winter temperature of 0° to 10° F. Depending on where you live in Ohio, you may be in zone 5 or 6, where crape myrtles will need some winter protection in order to survive.