I agree! We should start a campaign to stop this horrid practice! Wonder if we could get the garden clubs to participate?

cora

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'm from SC where everyone prunes their crape myrtles that way, and I like it. I never saw a standard crape myrtle or one that was allowed to grow tall until I moved to FL. I love that "umbrella" shape it creates, with the drooping limbs and flowers. I think it's all a matter of taste. I hate standard crape myrtles, and I also hate crape myrtles that are allowed to get 30 feet tall with bare trunks. It's just ugly to me. I really never saw any crape myrtles die because of this kind of pruning. There are rules for it and honestly, I just don't see what all the big fuss is about.

They don't die but they droop because of weak unhealthy growth. They are more suseptable to insects and disease.

Did your cat ever show up?

Depending on which articles You read,then crapes are often refered to as shrubs rather than a true tree.When You look at most central & northern Florida landscapes,You will see them grown as either a tree or a shrub,depending on the homeowner.Personally,I like to see them grown as a multi trunk tree,because I like the bark.I don't think this is how this "tree" really prefers to grow-given that it takes extensive pruning to achieve a tree-like form,which would say to me,that it is much happier being a shrub & so topping isn't even an issue

aw heck, just to put my 2 cents in: My neighbor and I planted crepe myrtles at the same time - both were about 24 inches tall. In five years, he's never touched his and it shows. It is neither tree nor shrub. Nor is it attractive in the smallest way. Our trees are about 12 - 15 feet apart. I started pruning my tree by the time it was 4 feet tall. Took out scrawny limbs and limbs that crossed against another. Took off suckers from the ground up. And to keep a pretty 'umbrella', cut back limbs that wanted to shoot out beyond the natural shape. I doubt I'll have to prune much at all this year. Although I'm not into feeding and fertilizing, I have a healthy, 12' tall, multi-trunk crepe myrtle that blooms like crazy every summer. My neighbor's tree blooms sparsley and looks ugly even when blooming.

How soon after planting should you prune? I have some I started from seed that are a couple of years old and maybe 18-24 inches tall. I'm not sure how they'll turn out eventually, whether worth keeping or not.
Marcia

When they are pruned back like that they do put out larger heads of flowers, but I let mine grow like a tree and limb them up so that we can walk under them. I will admit that the flowers aren't as big and profuse, though.

I have one in my front yard that has never been pruned. The neighbors rave over it. There is one in my neighborhood that has never been pruned. It is full and beautiful year after year. That one must be 50 years old. I think a lot has to do with variety. Also, I deadhead the one in front and it blooms all summer. It gets no other care. The ones in back have never been pruned either. They are large varieties and are huge. The only one of these I know the name of is Natchez. The others were here when I bought.
I saw one at a colonial governor's estate in North Carolina that was a very large tree with one trunk. In winter the bark was beautiful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crepe Myrtle varieties

Our friends never pruned theirs. They are the biggest I've ever seen and they bloom all summer. I know they never get water or fertilizer.

LTY - no, the cat never came back. I've decided to give up. I took all the flyers down today. I still miss her, but I fear she's just dead somewhere and I'll never find her.

We have the most beautiful Crepe Myrtle that was planted too near the bedroom door. I can't get in or out without being whacked in the face. So I let the gardener "murder" it. I'm happy with how it looks when it blooms.

Carol B. in Sarasota

Carol, maybe you could cut off the side branches making it narrower and leave the height. :o)

I haven't trimmed mine in 10 years and love the way they look. They don't get fed or watered, other than occasional lawn sprinklers. I'm sure they were severely pruned during their first few years and I did it once in 2001, but never since then.

It is a matter of taste but I admit I think of it as crape murder too. I like the peeling bark and pretty shape of a mature crape myrtle. They provide a beautiful dappled shade for the yard too. I don't have the garden on this side of the house anymore but when I did, the plants seemed happy with the amount of sunlight they received.

Kate
(Hi Everyone! I haven't posted for a long time but I just can't resist a good crape murder discussion!)

I'm coming to the discussion late but had to weigh in. Imagine if you saw people in the neighborhood making and eating some stuff out of flour and water and a some lesser ingredients. After it was mixed together, they baked it, smeared some butter on it and it was heavenly delicious! They called it bread. When you tried to copy it at home, you didn't know about the yeast so your attempt at making bread was a disaster. How can something one place can be so delicious and somewhere else, inedible? But that, in fact, is what's happening with crape myrtle pruning on a grand scale. While I fully support the annual pruning (which can be done anytime during the dormant season) I notice that upwards of 90 or 95 percent of the pruning is done poorly, or horribly and could rightfully be termed "crape myrtle murder." But I think this term is unfortunate as, instead of persuading the fearful and uninformed to learn a better pruning strategy, it causes them to not prune at all or only very little.

If crape myrtle pruning did not produce SOME beneficial effects, it would cease. So even if done poorly, some good effects result: larger, healthier looking leaves... larger bloom clusters... leaves retained longer into the season... longer lasting blooms... arching branches that nearly create a "weeping" form. These effects, to some degree, come even with the worst pruning jobs. If the pruning is done well, one also benefits by having a "tree" whose form is impeccable, whose size is appropriate to its setting, whose trunk structure is a sculptural object in and of itself and whose overall presence is commanding of its space. A well pruned crape is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, we almost never see one.

The terms "tree" and "shrub" are ill defined divisions within the woody plants. I use them to explain FORM, not size: A tree is a woody plant with one or more trunks (vertical) in which the bottom branches (horizontal) are absent. A shrub is a woody plant with multiple trunks (vertical) in which the branches (horizontal) are retained so that foliage is continuous to the ground. Most plants that we call trees, if left to grow in the middle of a sunny field and never pruned, would qualify as shrubs. Plants that we think of as "shrubs" sometimes lose their bottom branches and turn into "trees." It's pretty easy to see that the area between "trees" and "shrubs" contains a lot of "grey."

What is the nature of a crape myrtle left to its own devices? It would definitely be a shrub... a very large shrub as crapes can climb to the 40' height range. At such a size, it's spread would likely be 25' or so. It begins to become obvious that if we let woody plants only grow "naturally" we would be barely be able to contain any of them in our yards. So like the maples and oaks, we frequently limb up crape myrtles and other large shrubs by removing their lower branches. Even those who tend to be against altering plants via pruning, are almost universally content to turn crape myrtles into "trees."

The question becomes, TO WHAT HEIGHT should crape myrtles be limbed up? The bottom of a tree canopy forms a "ceiling." I suggest that the answer is contained in the idea that plants are serving the needs of humans. When has a person ever found it desirable to have a ceiling dragging on their hair or smacking them in the face? Ceilings created by plants should clear the human head. That means that they will be no lower than 7' at the extreme. But like ceilings in houses, often higher "feels" better than lower so there is rarely an objection to limbing up further. (I'm speaking of how the SPACE seems... not the object within the space.) Look around at the crape myrtles you see pruned... or "murdered." How many of them are cut to a height of only four to six feet? This means that all the branching will occur not above one's head, but directly in one's face. Instead of being a ceiling to walk under, crapes become visual and physical obstructions. (Scroll up to look, again, at the photo posted by pabrocb. This is a very typical pruning.) While you're looking, also take a good look at the trunk structure. (pabrocb, I'm not trying to pick on your crape, I just need a photo to use and yours is already here and it works. But it would be one of thousands.) There is predominantly one main vertical trunk. Two smaller trunks break off to the right and left, defining the overall "V" shape of the plant, within which are a couple more minor "whips." The trunk system viewed from above might look like half an asterisk.

For a moment, let's imagine what a handsome bouquet of flowers in a crystal vase looks like. Are the stems organized... or crossing chaotically from any direction? Are they of disparate sizes... or similar? Are they uniform of texture... or with a patchwork of random leaves attached at any point? When viewed from above, are they full (3-dimensionally)... or is their form like that partial asterisk? Take a quick look at a vase of flowers to see why it has appeal. I suggest that putting to use some of the principles employed in creating the vase of flowers when pruning a crape, can produce a plant with statesman-like stature... rather than one that appears to have been for some time homeless.

I hunted Google images for an example of a crape myrtle pruned in the way I'm describing, but couldn't find even one ideal example. There are runners up but nothing on the money. I'm attaching a sketch that gives an idea of what I suggest makes a useful and beautiful crape. Nowhere in my discussion am I claiming that a crape myrtle grown in the tree form and left unpruned (as in Kate's example directly above) is undesirable, ugly or in some way without merit. They make beautiful, "natural" looking trees. But... there are many times that one does not want the 20 or 30-foot height... or the smaller, more sparse foliage, or the upright habit or the thinner, more sparse flowering, etc., etc. In these cases, annual pruning CAN turn a crape myrtle into a very useful and beautiful, "right sized" plant. When done properly, even the leafless winter form--beheaded or not--can be an outstanding sight. Also, there is another feature of annually pruned crapes that develops over time if one is consistent in their pruning... that is the formation of swollen, "paddle"-like woody structures at the tips of the trunks. These are hard to describe to one who has never seen them. They become large and let the crape take on a persona reminiscent of a strange and exotic undersea creature... or an unusual artistic sculpture. At least, they are fascinating and interesting conversation pieces.

To those who ARE murdering their crapes, you might consider making a few changes to your pruning methods so here's a few tips: If the trunk structure is not good (like a full bouquet) there is nothing you can do but start over. However, you should know if you've ever cut down an undesirable weed sapling in an attempt to get rid of it, it will grow back (with more trunks) in very short order. I wouldn't hesitate to cut a crape back to about 18" right before the spring growing season. It will regrow with many more trunks. (This process is called 'rejuvenation.') Each year evaluate it's structure and if there are not enough trunks, cut it back to half its height. Eventually, there will be enough where you want them. Remove any trunks that start on one side and cross over through the center to the other side. They should all radiate in an outward direction from the center in order to appear organized. After much looking, I consider the ideal "V" shape spread to be about 45*. Narrower than that, crapes just don't look like they have as much money in their pocket. Wider than that, the trunks start appearing or becoming obstructions to use of the space they're in... so it depends on the setting. So I remove any trunks or cut them back so that only those within this imagined cone remain.

Trunks are more vertical than 45*; branches are more horizontal than 45*. When doing the annual dormant season pruning, remove all branches and let only trunks remain. In general, cut back the trunk length to one half of the recent year's growth. It will be a mistake to leave it all as it terminates in weak, thin growth of not uniform height. Trimming it back by half allows growth to the overall height of the tree, helps it to keep an organized appearing presence and keeps the trunks stout and strong relative to the weight and burden of the coming growing season. (The trunks also need to "branch" a little on their up in order that the cone shape continues to be full of trunks as it widens out.) Cut all trunks straight across the top. If they are cut at varying heights they do not look good. It is much more bother to create a "domed" appearance and it does not look good either. Straight is easiest and best. As, and after the tree branches out, completely remove all branches that occur below half the height of the tree. While the new branches are just buds or soft growth, this can be done very quickly with the wipe of a gloved hand. Yesterday, I cleaned up a small crape (about 6' ht.) for my mom and it took about 20 minutes. Almost all of the small, twiggy branches can be knocked off with any weighty implement. Strike downward (but not actually scraping off bark) alongside the trunk and they will just quickly pop off. I usually do this with my closed hand pruners, but a machete or even a heavy screwdriver will work.

Over a few years, a crape will work it's way upward so that you are cutting the main trunks at the final height of 8' above the ground. This is what I would consider the minimum. It works out pretty well for having the canopy clear a person's head. And it's a cutting height that one can do while standing on the ground... with a good set of loppers. A 5' height person would need a small step-stool to do this job. Depending on the circumstances of the setting, a higher final trunk cutting height might be desired.

I know there are plenty of people who will always prefer a "natural" look and will never want to grow a crape as I describe. I'm not trying to convince them to change. But if one likes the features and benefits that annual pruning of crapes provides, I hope they consider looking "beyond leaves and flowers" and examine how much more improved a crape can be if its structure is properly shaped and organized and given the attention it deserves. Then any common crape can become an outstanding specimen. Hopefully, soon, the homicide rate will begin to fall.

I realize, also, that my method is contrary to the majority of advice given about maintaining crapes: "Let 3 or 4 main trunks remain." "Cut at 6' height." "Every so often, remove old trunks and let them be replaced with new ones." This is pat horticultural shrub maintenance advice with no regard to the design aspect or purpose a plant serves. Even though I have a degree in horticulture, I've been happily disregarding this advice for decades.

{{gwi:990984}}

Yep. That's exactly what I try for.
cora

Yardvaark - That is the way we prune our crepe myrtles, and they grow back really nice every year. One thing though.

We have noticed a black sooty looking substance on the leaves. Does anyone know what that is or how to treat it?

It is probably powdery mildew... a fungus. It can start out light colored and turn dark over time. There are fungicides that can be used but the best solution is to use one of the newer crape myrtle varieties that are resistant to it. See the link below for starters.

Here is a link that might be useful: Article about powdery mildew on crape myrtles

Oops! I noticed I made a mistake in my pruning advice by suggesting that, as the crape branches out with new growth, that which originates from the lower half should be removed. Instead, I should have said remove new growth which originates below the top 12-18 inches.

Yardvaark, I realize that this is not your advice, but I have to believe that anyone who would write, "Every so often, remove old trunks and let them be replaced with new ones" doesn't know squat about crape myrtles. It's just my opinion, but that is ridiculous and doesn't even merit explanation. Any advice from such a writer should be ignored.

I swear that over the years I have heard the advice about "remove older trunks (canes) of crape myrtle" on a 'rotating' basis in order to rejuvenate the plant. I have heard the same ad infinitum about Lilac and several of the plants that fall somewhere between tree and shrub.

I personally love the way browsing animals shape trees, such as the African Acacia trees and the oak trees we have growing in cattle pastures here in Florida. The only question I have is, how did the tree ever get to that size in the first place, what with it being eaten back constantly???

ritaweeda,

it's probably why you see 1 Acacia tree and a wide expanse of grass, that was the tree that managed to keep its head above the grazers!

Here's a good video about Black Sooty Mold on Crape Myrtles. Don't make fun of her accent. That's how I sound, and if you make fun of me, I'll have to loose a can of southern whup-ass on you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Black Sooty Mold on Crape Myrtles