That's really awful, but I'm pretty sure it will come back if he just cut it off at the bread. You can also try to root the stems of the top.

My neighbor has a lot of Crape Myrtles and just planted Dynamite. Every March he cuts all of them down to about three feet and now the new growth is up and looking good. The first time I saw him do this, I was stunned because I had never seen it done that way. It works and his Crape Myrtles are always beautiful.

He also roots cuttings and says they are easy to root. I haven't tried it because he shares them with us.

That should be cut at the "break"!

Thanks! I told him that and he was pretty happy!

Pam

pkponder, I'm not sure he'll be able to tape the tree back together (but kudos to him for trying!!). The tree will regrow (FAST!) from the roots. It will send up a lot of shoots/suckers. He should let them develop a bit and pick the best positioned ones to be the new tree.

rock_oak_deer, I think your neighbor's method has a name: Crape Murder. See the attached link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stop the Murder!

LOL kiko. That's a great article. Exactly how I see it and we don't do it to ours. The resulting growth is more like a shrub than a tree and it works as a screen for his yard.