john_ny

I would like to know if anyone has any advice on pruning Crape Myrtles, I tried the search, but couldn't come up with anything. I know that I read, somewhere, about people "murdering" Crapes. I have two varieties here, one pink, and one white. I can't remember the names, but they were named after some native American tribes. The problem is they are too tall. (15-18 feet) You have to look up to see the flowers. I don't want to "murder" them, but I would like the flowers a little lower. As it is now, most people don't look up, and just miss them.

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John

sunfish

Crepe Myrtle Pruning Step-by-Step - The Grumpy Gardener - SouthernLiving.com

Classic Gardens & Landscape, Inc., Birmingham, Alabama, Irrigation, Lawncare, Landscaping | Crape Murder

john_ny

Thanks, Tony. Good advice. I guess I should have Googled it, rather than just using the "Search", on the .org.

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John

sunfish

10-4

Darkman

Murdering also known as pollarding may be what you need to do once to get your branches down to a level you want them at. Just don't cut/prune them at the same spot every year. It ruins the natural beauty of the tree.

Yeah but then you'd miss the opinions of the ones that have lived it. I will google/yahoo but most times I'll still post to get others opinions. You can't get friendship an anecdotal tales on Google!

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

palmtree

I was afraid of the same problem so I got a Zuni which is a semi Dwarf and should stay small. Might have to do some crape murdering myself one day if it gets too tall since it will shade all of my other sun loving plants and everyone will miss the blooms! But like Darkman says, its technically not Crape Murder unless you prune it back hard at the same spot every year.
If you do prune it, prune right now because you dont want to prune the potential flower buds off and they are probably already about fully leafed out.
Good luck!

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Location: New York City, zone 7b

TommyMacLuckie

I do it periodically for various people etc. Any inner crossing branches remove. Remove any branches entirely that are hanging lower than they need to be but only in regards to allowing more light in for other plants. Otherwise it's fine.

Never cut them down to half the trunk (or any part unless you are completely starting over, then it's all the way to the ground) - you see people hat rack crape myrtles and nothing else (no other trees). You know why? Because they grampies did it and they neighbors did it and they friends did it and here is the other part - all of they be stoopid! "It helps 'em bloom bettah" they say.

Ha ha. It's ignorance. Also known as 'common knowledge'.

Some of the prettiest crape myrtles you'll see are in the French Quarter. Regardless of any proper inner-crossing branches being pruned, they have been ignored and resemble something out of Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit or Star Wars.

Pruning ends of the branches off is fine if you are really really bored, as well as reducing weight. But always attempt to leave the thickest cane/branch.

raygrogan

I was going to suggest what Tommy said - all the way to the ground if normal ~natural (ie, whole branches off) pruning does not seem enough. I do the "base trim" with honeysuckles (the northern bush type) every couple of years. They then turn into a small exuberant bush with normal branching, etc. Then when too big (they lean into the sidewalk) I whack them again. In the fall - early winter, cover with leaves, compost, etc. and wait for spring for it all to start again.

Darkman

FYI

Trimming the bloom off the plant will cause it to set another bloom. In the South you can sometimes get three bloom sets.

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.