If the shade tree is on its last leg, why don't you have it removed and get a head start on its replacement? If you're not sure whether it's good or not, maybe have someone look at it.

The other thing that came to mind is that if you already have Natchez Crepes in one spot, have you considered diversification with other species instead?

Thanks Brandon7 for post of your responses today.

I am concerned about the big shade tree because a) it lives in what I think is a stressful spot (right next to the driveway), b) I may have a sewer pipe run through the yard which will run right next to the trunk on the other side from the driveway, and c)I just get a sinking feeling about it!

My girlfriend, however, loves the tree. Add to that, I have had many trees cut down over this past year... she just doesn't have the tolerance to see another one go down.

Given that I have all kinds of big trees that came with the house, I'd like to get some consistency with some of the more decorative trees.

I love the bark on the Natchez, the drought tolerance, and the medium-large size...and the fact that these trees look their best when the rest of the greenery starts looking a bit worn from the summer heat by August.

Maybe there are some disadvantages to the Crepes... please advise!

Other than that, I have bought a few different types of Dogwoods, a Stewartia, a sunset red maple, paperbark maple, S. Magnolia Altus, Winter Red Hollies, Nellie Stevens Hollies and BlazerFoster Hollies. ... and natchez and dynamite red crepes. All purchased and planted in early spring.

The Nellies can tolerate the partial sun, but in the area that I'm considering, I prefer the shape of the crepe.

Brandon, or anyone else, I am happy to take advice on any or all of those plants.

I know that full sun or almost full sun is usually recommended for Crepe Myrtles. I googled shade and Crape Myrtle to see if someone had done a study about how much shade they would take. I really didn't immediately find such a study, but I did find this comment from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service Office that I think would sum up the usual advise:

"For strong growth and abundant flowering, plant crape myrtle in full sun. Heavy shade will (significantly) reduce growth and flowering and will increase disease problems such as sooty mold on the foliage and powdery mildew on the flower buds and young growth. Large shade trees will also compete with the crape myrtle for moisture, causing poor growth and flowering. Lack of sunlight and moisture are the common causes of poor growth and flowering."

Hi Therre:
I have two Crepe Myrtles in my back yard. One is a Natchez
and it is about 15' or so tall. It recieves about 4 hours of morning Sun and does beautifully. I keep it at a height
where I can snip off the spent blooms, while on a ladder. I can get up to three waves of bloom by doing this. My yard has two huge Pin Oaks and two huge Pine Trees, so neither of the Crepe's get much Sun. The Pink Ruffles I keep at around 5 feet tall. I cut off the blooms after they get brownish, and within a few weeks they are putting out new growth and more buds. I love Crepe Myrtles, they really are so pretty, when everthing else is fried from Summer heat and humidity.