What Are the Steps in Cutting Back a Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe myrtles are common landscaping trees in the southern United States. The trees can reach over 20 feet in height and produce a mottled bark and bright flower clusters. Some crepe myrtle owners cut the main branches back in an attempt to control the height of the tree, but this leads to an unattractive, unnatural, stubby shape that also results in the growth of ugly, thin whip shoots. Cutting back a crepe myrtle properly involves no topping. The best time to cut back a crepe myrtle is in late winter or early spring.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning loppers

Instructions

1. Cut off all the main branches except the thickest and strongest three to five. Cut the other main branches back to the ground, getting as close to the soil level as possible. Remove any suckers growing out of the base of the remaining branches.

2. Remove all lateral branches growing out of the main branches on the bottom 1/3 of the tree's height or at least the bottom four feet. Cut them all the way back to the main branches.

3. Cut out any branches that are dead or damaged from frost. Remove any branches that are crossing one another.

4. Remove branches that are growing at an angle in toward the tree's center in the upper 1/3 of the tree. Cut off the seed pods, if you find them unattractive.

References

• You Tube: ARExtension: Pruning Crapemyrtles
• Southern Living: Crepe Myrtle Pruning Step-by-Step
• Clemson Cooperative Extension: Crape Myrtle Pruning