pruning crepe myrtle trees in summer
The only pruning you should do at this time is to remove branches for the health of the shrub. Select 4-5 well-spaced ones to become the new main trunks and cut off the rest.
Add A Punch Of Late Summer And Fall Color With Crape Myrtle Trees Myrtle Tree Crape Myrtle Crepe Myrtle Trees
If you have a large overgrown crepe myrtle that has never been shaped these same guidelines apply.
. On smaller plants encourage a second bloom in summer by pruning flowers immediately after they fade. The seed pods can also be quite heavy and might drag down your tree branches under their weight and this is another reason that is in favor of pruning the crepe myrtle. Also make sure you use sharp pruners to get clean cuts and avoid ripping the bark.
Consequences of Severe Pruning. Crape myrtles must be properly pruned on an annual basis in order to achieve the following benefits. What Month to Prune a Crepe Myrtle Pruning Crape Myrtles in Winter.
If you need to remove larger branches that are growing where you do not want them prune all the way back to the main stem cutting at the branch collar the swollen part within ¼ inch of the trunk. If small crepe myrtle pruning is done properly after a few years you wouldnt need to prune it at all. Prune crepe myrtle trees when you wish to shape them or if you find the branches are too close together for your taste but for the most part you do not need to prune crepe myrtle trees.
How Do I Prune Crape Myrtles. This could stress the trees out. Although it will produce larger flowers and bloom more profusely if lightly pruned crape myrtle will produce plenty of flowers without any pruning.
It will grow dense. The beginning of summer is signaled by a profusion of tiny white flowers. Toppingcommonly called crape murdercan be very damaging to the tree.
Its best to work your way up when pruning a crape myrtle. You may want to cut your trees back to produce more blooms. Click to see full answer.
Crepe myrtle should be pruned right before it comes out of dormancy or right before the first appearance of new growth. Topping may yield larger flowers but does not increase the overall volume of blooms. If pruning is necessary to stimulate new growth prune in late winter or early spring.
Unfortunately many homeowners and landscape professionals prune crapemyrtle trees too severely see an example of this in the photograph. Remove branches that are too close together or that cross or rub each other. If youre lucky enough to live in a warm climate you may be able to get away with trimming your myrtle trees during the summer months.
Before we discuss the benefits of pruning Crape Myrtles and how to take on pruning properly were going to tell you how not to prune them. The summer heat will be too hot and stressful for new growth. When to Prune Your Crepe Myrtle.
- Increased health and vitality - Enhanced beauty - Cont. So with that being said it pays to prune your Crape Myrtles in the winter months as soon as November at as late at March when they are dormant. You should prune to get rid of twigs and limbs that tend to grow back towards the center of your crepe myrtle tree.
Take advantage of this. You should prune to remove the limbs that rub against one another. By May crape myrtles are showing.
As a general rule only remove limbs smaller than your finger. In Zones 7 and higher this will probably be January or February. Doing this will double the total number of branches and blooms every year.
Crape myrtles are dormant through the winter months of December January and February. Can I prune crepe myrtle in summer. Dormancy continues into March and sometimes April.
Crape myrtles are summer-blooming trees so prune them before then. Get a Free Quote Now. If you like you can remove old seed pods.
If youre growing crepe myrtle in Zones 5 or 6 you may want to wait until March to prune or after the last risk of frost. Start Pruning from the Bottom. Summer Pruning Crepe.
This practice results in a witchs broom appearance and a tree that is no longer in proportion. Instead youll be pruning in a way that promotes twice as many branches each growing season - which means a fuller canopy and twice as many blooms. Theyll grow faster than a congressmans nose.
This is an important question to consider and there are many misconceptions out there but the best time to prune a crepe myrtle is mid February. June signals the start of crape myrtles blooming season although it may begin a few weeks before or after the start of summer. Extreme topping often results in weak growth that tends to bend of break in summer rains.
Prune out branches that cross each other and rub together. Dont prune your Crape Myrtle trees in the summer or fall. Cut off the dead top and let the shoots grow.
Click to see full answer. Crepe Myrtles bloom on new growth so pruning in late winter or early spring will promote larger flowers and more voluminous blooms. The good news is most Crape Myrtles can be pruned with hand held shears or long handles loppers.
Can crape myrtle be pruned in summer. Your crepe myrtle will grow back free-of-charge and may even bloom this summer. The best time to do most of the pruning on other trees and shrubs is in late fall or early winter but you want to avoid that here if you can.
Ad Expert Tree Pruning at Best Rates. Prune out dead branches. Crepe myrtle can become densely branched if allowed to grow as it pleases and some people may be concerned that this isnt good for the health of the tree.
This careful method will reward you richly over the years. You can prune to remove the suckers that come up from the trees base. It will produce twice the number of branches and therefore twice the number of blooms as it did during the previous year.
If youre making an arch with two or more trees prune out the branches that detract from the arch. Only the new growth each year is what produces those lovely blooms that you admire each spring and summer. When a crape myrtle is pruned properly.
It is important not to prune the tops of crepe myrtle trees to make them bloom. It helps to eliminate deadwood. Spring Pruning Crepe Myrtle Trees.
In the next year crepe myrtle pruning cut the branch a few inches above where you pruned this year. While pruning crepe myrtle trees is good for helping to keep the tree shaped like you would like it to be it is not normally necessary to the health of the tree. June signals the start of crape myrtles blooming season although it may begin a few weeks before or after the start of summer.
Pruning to Promote Health. This service should be included in your commercial maintenance schedule. When to Prune Crepe Myrtle.
Remove branches and foliage affected by such detractors as soon as possible for the health of the tree. The only pruning you should do at this time is to remove branches for the health of the shrub. Pruning crepe myrtles in summer is not the optimal time of year to trim your trees unless you wait until after they bloom.
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