How to prune crape myrtles

Crape Myrtles, while easy to properly prune, are often done incorrectly. Incorrect pruning causes knots to form on the tree. This article will show you how to stimulate growth, control shape and direction, and avoid unsightly knots in plant trunk.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pruning shears
• enthusiasm

1. 
    

   Ensure you are pruning in dormant season like winter or early spring. Check this by looking for growth. If there is green or blossoms on the plant it is not dormant.

2. 
    
   needs the base cleaned up, but beautifully done

   Determine desired shape of your crape myrtle and make sure that your particular variety will suffice. For instance you can not expect to prune a tree form crape myrtle from a dwarf shrubby variety.

3. No matter what form you desire you stimulate growth and form by the way and place you prune. For shrubby low growing forms prune lower to base. For tree form prune further from the ground. Determine where you want to make your cuts. Remember don't just hack off the limbs or else you will get unsightly knots on your crape myrtle.

4. 
    
   pruned at angles,... no signs of knots

   When you make the pruning cuts, always cut at an angle. Begin with a 45 degree angle and go from there. The cut edge of the angle will not produce much growth, however the uncut side of the prune will continue to grow from that direction. The more shallow the angle, (closer to horizontal,) the more horizontal growth you will see. If you steepen the angle, (closer to a vertical cut,) the more vertical growth you will see. This will help controlling the plant to canopy or continue to form as a taller tree. Remember that the cut edge should face away from the desired direction of the growth.

5. If you cut parallel to the ground with the cut edge directly over the plant with no angle the sides of the cut will grow vertically around the cut edge eventually engulfing that section and continuing to grow vertically. The result is a knot in the tree. Start high on the plant until you get the hang of the angled cuts. This way if you are not happy you can work your way down the limb.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune in moderation. You can always prune more off but you can never prune more on.
• Prune at angles... begin with about 45 deg from ground until you catch on.
• Make the cut so the cut edge is facing away from desired direction of growth.
• Never, Never, Never cut horizontally to ground. You will get knots
• Best of luck and let me know how your crape myrtles look this blooming season!