How to Trim a Crepe Myrtle Tree: 5 Simple Steps for Beautiful Blooms
Stay prudent when pruning your crepe myrtle
- Pruning shears
- Loppers
- Pole pruners or pruning saw (optional for higher branches)
- Protective gloves
- Yard waste bags
Every year, well-meaning gardeners take pruning shears to their crepe myrtles and leave behind a gnarled mess where there were once beautiful blooms. Luckily, learning how to trim a crepe myrtle tree will ensure you trim these delicate trees successfully.
While many trees thrive from a healthy annual pruning, crepe myrtles don’t need to be pruned often. In any case, it’s crucial to be mindful of proper technique and strategy when the time comes for a light trim. Here’s how to trim a crepe myrtle tree without going overboard.
Decide If Pruning Is Necessary
Crepe myrtles are low-maintenance and often don’t require pruning if they’re planted in the right spot. If your tree has space to grow to its mature size without interference, consider letting it grow naturally, as it’s easy to get carried away and end up with unsightly knobs and thin branches that can’t support any blossoms. Only prune your tree to improve the shape or remove damage, and do it sparingly.
Limit the Number of Trunks
While crepe myrtles are naturally multi-trunked, they are often at their most aesthetically pleasing when they have three to five trunks. Too many trunks can make the tree look knobby, crowded, and misshapen. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making your cuts:
Choose the strongest, most upright trunks and remove any extras at the base.
Make cuts as close to the ground or connecting the trunk as possible; never leave stubs.
For best results, shaping should be done while the tree is young.
Remove Suckers at the Base
Suckers are small shoots that grow from the roots or lower trunk, becoming little trees and robbing the rest of the tree of nutrients. Pull them by hand when they’re small or cut them cleanly at the base. Removing tree suckers helps the tree channel its energy into developing strong, healthy trunks and a full canopy.
Tackle Interior and Crossing Branches
Now, move your focus to the inside of the canopy: This process opens up the canopy, allowing light and air to reach the interior, which improves both health and flowering.
Cut away branches that are crossing, rubbing, or growing inward toward the center of the tree.
Remove any dead or diseased limbs.
Step Back and Assess While You Work
Every few cuts, walk around your tree to check your progress from different angles. It’s easy to get carried away, so stepping back gives you perspective and helps prevent over-pruning. Remember, it’s better to trim too little than too much—you can always go back and make another cut.
Mistakes to Avoid When Trimming a Crepe Myrtle Tree
Avoid these common missteps when trimming your crepe myrtle tree.
Do not lop off the top of the crepe myrtle tree, as this will leave behind unsightly stumps and hinder the bark from developing.
Only cut thinner branches that are up to 1½ inches in diameter.
Never remove more than 25% of the tree’s canopy during a single pruning session.
Begin pruning from the top and move downward to maintain a natural, balanced form.
Be sure to step back constantly and assess the tree’s appearance to avoid over-pruning the tree.
Always cut branches just above a node or lateral branch, not randomly in the middle.
Skip pruning sealants—crepe myrtles heal best on their own.
Why You Should Prune a Crepe Myrtle Tree
Before you bust out the loppers or pruning shears, know that pruning a crepe myrtle is not always necessary. Left alone, many crepe myrtles will maintain their elegant form and fill up with brilliant blossoms year after year.
However, some light pruning can help maintain their natural shape and encourage healthier growth. These are the main reasons why you should prune a crepe myrtle tree.
1. Remove Dead or Damaged Wood
Broken or dead branches can attract pests and disease. Pruning them improves the tree’s appearance and overall health by redirecting its energy toward the healthy parts.
2. Prevent Crowding
Crepe myrtles can grow multiple shoots from the base or develop tangled interior branches over time. Thinning out the tree increases airflow and allows light to reach.
3. Boost Bloom Production
Flower clusters grow on new wood. By pruning back old growth in late winter or early spring, you encourage the tree to produce more flowers during the blooming season.
4. Shape for Structure
Strategic pruning helps maintain the tree’s elegant silhouette and balance of brilliant flower clusters. It also prevents weak branches and improves the tree’s structural integrity without resorting to excessive topping, or cutting the main branches to stubs or knobs.
When to Prune a Crepe Myrtle Tree
Timing is crucial when pruning crepe myrtles.
You should wait until late winter, ideally mid-February or early March, to prune your tree. During this time, the tree is leafless, which gives you a clear view of the branches and their structure. Crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, so pruning at this time won’t interfere with the blooming season.
Pruning during this period ensures the tree is dormant, allowing you to make cuts without affecting the upcoming growth cycle. However, it's important to avoid over-pruning, as excessive trimming can lead to fewer blooms and may damage the tree’s appearance. Always plan your cuts carefully to maintain the tree’s health and beauty.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Since crepe myrtles have thinner branches and don’t require excessive trimming, they are DIY-friendly in theory. However, in practice, it’s easy to go overboard and maim the tree’s appearance, so bringing in a professional is definitely worth considering. Hiring a local tree trimming specialist ensures proper technique, especially for larger or older trees that require thinning at greater heights.
How Much Does It Cost to Prune a Crepe Myrtle Tree?
Pruning a tree costs between $80 and $400. Smaller crepe myrtles or those maintained regularly will fall on the lower end cost-wise, while larger or overgrown trees may require more time and labor, increasing the cost.
If the tree is difficult to access, such as one planted close to a structure or near power lines, expect to pay more due to the added complexity and safety precautions. Hiring a tree service professional to trim your crepe myrtle tree will ensure the proper pruning technique, which helps it bloom at its best.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don’t need to cut back crepe myrtles every year. In fact, annual hard pruning can do more harm than good, leaving you with a knobby and misshapen tree with minimal blooms. If the tree is properly placed and has room to grow, it may not need pruning at all. Occasional thinning to remove crossing branches, suckers, and pencil-thin lower limbs is often enough.
Removing old seed pods from crepe myrtles is optional. Despite what some crepe myrtle enthusiasts believe, leaving the spent seed pods on won’t prevent the tree from blooming the following year—it’ll still flower just fine. However, large clusters of seed pods can get heavy, causing branches to droop, so trimming them off helps lighten the load. Plus, if you remove the seed pods early (around late July), you might even enjoy a second round of blooms come early fall.
You may wonder whether tree removal is tax deductible: Tree removal is not tax-deductible for homeowners unless it's related to a federally declared disaster. In that case, the cost may qualify as a casualty loss. However, if you own a commercial property, like a rental home, tree removal could be deductible if it's necessary for safety, maintenance, or part of a larger capital improvement project, and you must hire a professional tree removal service and keep documentation. Always consult a tax professional beforehand to see if you qualify.
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