Trimming and pruning
Live oak canopy work, limbs over the roof, palm frond cleanup and crepe myrtle pruning without topping.
Tree trimming in Wilmington NCShort answer: prune crepe myrtles in late winter, while the tree is dormant and before new growth starts. N.C. Cooperative Extension calls the dormant season ideal because the branch structure is easy to see with the leaves off. Dead, diseased or damaged branches can be removed at any time. Do not cut the tree back to stubs: that is "crape murder", and it gives you weaker branches and fewer flowers.
Why late winter is the right window
Crepe myrtles (also spelled crape myrtles, Lagerstroemia indica) flower on the current season's growth. NC State Extension's plant database lists bloom from July to September and says that if pruning is needed to thin the tree, it is best done in late winter or spring, before the new growth that carries the blossoms begins. Prune then and you lose no flowers.
From the official source
Crepe myrtles are multi-trunked trees, not shrubs. That one line from the Brunswick County office of N.C. Cooperative Extension explains most of what goes wrong with them: people shear them like hedges.
What to cut, in order
- Dead, diseased and damaged wood. This can come out in any month.
- Sprouts from the base. Remove the thin water sprouts around the bottom of the trunks so the main stems stay clean.
- Crossing and rubbing branches. Take out the weaker of the two, back to where it joins a larger branch.
- Branches growing into the middle. Light thinning opens the canopy and shows off the bark.
- Height, only if you must. Use reduction cuts: follow a tall branch down to a side branch and cut just above it. Do not cut through the middle of a limb.
That list is the Extension advice in working order: remove diseased, damaged or dead branches, crossing branches and water sprouts from the base, and reduce height with cuts back to a lateral branch.
What "crape murder" does to the tree
Cutting every stem back to the same height each winter is common across the Cape Fear area, and the trees survive it, which is why the habit continues. According to N.C. Cooperative Extension, the results are:
- a shorter bloom time and delayed flowering;
- weaker branching;
- unsightly "knuckles" where the tree keeps sealing over the same cuts; and
- more trouble with pests and disease.
NC State Extension lists aphids, scales and flea beetles as insect problems for crepe myrtles, with leaf spots and powdery mildew as the usual diseases. A stressed, repeatedly topped tree is an easier target.
If the tree is too big for the spot
Good to know
If the tree is simply too big for where it stands, pruning will not solve it for long. Cultivars range from about 3 feet to more than 30 feet tall, and Extension's advice is to choose one that fits the space. Replacing an oversized crepe myrtle with a smaller cultivar costs less over time than cutting it back every winter.
Fixing a crepe myrtle that was topped
The first step is to stop topping it. After that, restoration is ordinary pruning done patiently: each winter, thin the cluster of sprouts at every old cut so that only a few well-placed ones grow on as branches, and use reduction cuts for height. It takes several seasons for the tree to look natural again. The Extension sources below do not publish a set recipe for this, so have a tree crew or arborist look at a mature tree before you start.
Crepe myrtles and storms
Crepe myrtles are among the small trees that came through hurricanes with the least damage, according to N.C. Cooperative Extension in Pender County. A well-structured one needs little storm preparation beyond removing dead wood. For the rest of the yard, see our hurricane tree preparation checklist.
When to call a crew
Most homeowners can prune a young crepe myrtle with hand pruners and loppers. It is worth getting a quote when the tree is tall enough to need a ladder or pole saw, when limbs hang over a roof or a street, or when a row of mature trees has been topped and needs to be restored. See tree trimming and pruning in Wilmington, or ask for a tree health check if the bark or leaves look diseased.
Common questions
When should you prune crepe myrtles in North Carolina?
In late winter, while the tree is dormant and before new growth starts. N.C. Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County calls the dormant season ideal because you can see the branch structure with the leaves off. Dead, diseased or damaged branches can come out at any time.
What is "crape murder"?
It is the habit of cutting every stem of a crepe myrtle back to a stub. According to N.C. Cooperative Extension, it leads to a shorter bloom time, delayed flowering, weaker branching and knobby "knuckles", and it makes the tree more open to pests and disease.
How do I make a crepe myrtle shorter without topping it?
Use reduction cuts. Take a tall branch back to a side branch that points the way you want growth to go, instead of cutting through the middle of the limb. If the tree is always too big for the spot, replace it with a smaller cultivar.
Do crepe myrtles need pruning to bloom?
No. Crepe myrtles flower on the current season's growth, and NC State Extension notes that pruning should not be needed to control size. Light thinning in late winter is enough for most trees.
Can I fix a crepe myrtle that has been topped before?
Usually, but it takes several seasons. Stop topping it, thin the cluster of sprouts at each old cut every winter so a few grow on as branches, and use reduction cuts for height. Have a tree crew or arborist look at a mature tree first.
