Q. When is the right time of year to trim my crepe myrtle
tree and what should be done?
tree and what should be done?
A. They usually do not require much pruning. I noticed
from your picture that it is planted close to your house Your biggest problems
would be branches growing toward the house and walking under branches that are
too low.
from your picture that it is planted close to your house Your biggest problems
would be branches growing toward the house and walking under branches that are
too low.
Remove
branches growing toward the house at a “crotch” (where two branches
come together) and remove with a “thinning cut”. A thinning cut is the
total removal of a entire branch, leaving no part of it coming from the tree.
branches growing toward the house at a “crotch” (where two branches
come together) and remove with a “thinning cut”. A thinning cut is the
total removal of a entire branch, leaving no part of it coming from the tree.
Limbs
that are too low should be removed if people need to pass under the tree. This
should also be done with a thinning cut. Remove limbs high enough to allow
traffic under the tree.
that are too low should be removed if people need to pass under the tree. This
should also be done with a thinning cut. Remove limbs high enough to allow
traffic under the tree.
Aesthetically,
trees look better if you restrict limb removal so the tree’s trunk is exposed for
no more than one third of its height. A common problem in pruning large trees
in this town is excessive limb removal. Once removed, large limbs and the
aesthetics it brings, is lost forever. Crepe
myrtle tends to grow branches too close together and sometimes on top or crossing
each other. Look for these common problems and remove one of the offending
branches with a thinning cut, leaving no stub.
trees look better if you restrict limb removal so the tree’s trunk is exposed for
no more than one third of its height. A common problem in pruning large trees
in this town is excessive limb removal. Once removed, large limbs and the
aesthetics it brings, is lost forever. Crepe
myrtle tends to grow branches too close together and sometimes on top or crossing
each other. Look for these common problems and remove one of the offending
branches with a thinning cut, leaving no stub.
Lastly,
remove any dead wood or weak growth. Using thinning cuts will help preserve
this year’s flower production.
remove any dead wood or weak growth. Using thinning cuts will help preserve
this year’s flower production.