Why do so many crepe-murder?

[jebartle]

Are tree stubs the "IN-THING"?????? I'm sure there must be a botanical reason for this!

[aln]

I'm pretty sure it's a 'monkey see - monkey do' thing.

The correct way is taking last years berries off which amounts to about a quarter to a third of the branch.
Of course you should also remove cross-over branchs and those growing too close to each other.

I watch the pros that trim the crepe mertyls on the square for tips.

[billethkid]

after googling how to, the recommendation is to trim braches that are the size of a pencil or smaller.

Our landscaper in SC said the crepe murder is done by the ones who want to charge more hence they murder the tree to show how much they have done.

We all know that if nature intended for the trees to be trimmed that way there would be a tell tale.

Some folks think it just forces new blooms because of the continual new growth.
That in my opinion is not a good excuse because we do not do crepe murder and have a beautiful health specimen.

See the attached:
http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/stop-dont-chop-crepe-myrtles

[TrudyM]

I was told, If you don't want them to grow huge and they have been let go in the past you have to be brutal to get them low again.

[villagetinker]

Interesting because I was told there are actually 3 versions of crepe myrtle, one that grows low to the ground (aka a bush), one that grows to a medium height, and one the is a true tree.

[dbussone]

Interesting because I was told there are actually 3 versions of crepe myrtle, one that grows low to the ground (aka a bush), one that grows to a medium height, and one the is a true tree.

I don't know about 3 versions, but I can tell you the version we had in TN is very different from our version here.

[gomoho]

Because it is quick and easy - but absolutely disgusting.

[Mikeod]

Trimming them properly as described above will allow you to shape them into a nice canopy of blooms. By removing a third of the branch length, you keep it from getting too big

I agree that crepe murder often occurs because it is easier/faster to do than properly trim and shape the tree.

[bagboy]

We saw this happening in SC as well. It's quick and easy for landscapers to butcher them, then average gardeners follow suite thinking that's how it's done. I trimmed mine in early summer after they had bloomed (at the V behind to old bloom). They will bloom again in the fall. Then trim down without the hatchet job before winter.

[bike42]

Southern Living's garden editor has a crepe murder photo contest every year. This year's winners are at The Grumpy Gardener – The Daily South | Southern Living Blog (http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/category/the-grumpy-gardener/)

He also has excellent pruning directions at Crepe Myrtle Pruning Step-by-Step | Southern Living Blog (http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2009/02/24/what-concerns-p/)

[Mikeod]

Here's a picture of my two trees in CA. They were pruned about 1/3 off the tips of the branches and removing crossing branches and those that affected air flow through the tree.

[jebartle]

They were just beautiful, and we never trimmed them...Go figure!



Here's a picture of my two trees in CA. They were pruned about 1/3 off the tips of the branches and removing crossing branches and those that affected air flow through the tree.

[villagetinker]

All,

I Goggled Crepe Myrtle varieties and found this link to Clemson U:

Dwarf Varieties : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina (http://www.clemson.edu/extension/horticulture/landscape_ornamentals/crapemyrtle/varieties/)

There are LOTS of varieties, and I am now guessing the people do not have a clue what they have and are not pruning correctly.

Just my humble opinion.

[LndLocked]

I had no idea that their were Crepe Myrtle pruning police in TV?!?

They are almost impossible to kill, so if the owner wants to cut them back drastically and keep them more of a bush that a tree .... that is their decision and business. Their are several varieties that If you stick to the "pencil thickness" rule you will need someone with a bucket truck to trim within 5 years.

Often a function of how you need to trim one (or any plant / bush / tree) is the location of it's planting. Planting is often done WAY to close to the house and unless it is pruned way back, it will be growing into the house / eves / and roof .... which is very bad for your house.

Live and let trim

[Ozzello]

Growth from spring till summer produces blooms. The more growth cut back the larger the new growth will be in diameter and length. The size of the summer blooms will larger, the larger the spring growth is. Hence, the more you cut back a crepe myrtle, the larger the blooms will be.

There are other reasons to cut back severely, such as the removal of heavy lichen and ball moss infestations.

I have Crepe Myrtles I desired to grow taller/larger. I kept a single trunk long, cut where it expanded larger than 1/2" in diameter, pruning the rest of the branches in "crepe murder" style.

[big guy]

I was told, If you don't want them to grow huge and they have been let go in the past you have to be brutal to get them low again.

SOme research should be done online and the proper crepe myrtle put in. There are many different varieties that grow at different heights. Right plant, right place!

[big guy]

I had no idea that their were Crepe Myrtle pruning police in TV?!?

They are almost impossible to kill, so if the owner wants to cut them back drastically and keep them more of a bush that a tree .... that is their decision and business. Their are several varieties that If you stick to the "pencil thickness" rule you will need someone with a bucket truck to trim within 5 years.

Often a function of how you need to trim one (or any plant / bush / tree) is the location of it's planting. Planting is often done WAY to close to the house and unless it is pruned way back, it will be growing into the house / eves / and roof .... which is very bad for your house.

Live and let trim


I've got another quote for you, "right plant, right place". Buy the right plant and it won't have to be trimmed so drastically. Besides, many of the crepe myrtles are in places with plenty of space. And there are varieties of crepe myrtle that don't get so big.

[big guy]

I agree!

[big guy]

All,

I Goggled Crepe Myrtle varieties and found this link to Clemson U:

Dwarf Varieties : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina (http://www.clemson.edu/extension/horticulture/landscape_ornamentals/crapemyrtle/varieties/)

There are LOTS of varieties, and I am now guessing the people do not have a clue what they have and are not pruning correctly.

Just my humble opinion.

I agree!

[Bonanza]

I cannot believe that so many people do not know that there are many varieties of crepe myrtles. Homeowners need to know what variety they have and if they don't know, they should ask for help from someone who does know.

No, you do not "cut back severely" ever, as mentioned in post #15. No, you don't want to be "brutal" ever, as mentioned in post #5.

Follow the directions in post #10 and take note of what not to do. It's too bad Villagers can't be fined for what they do to trees. Judging from some of the recent hacking I've seen, they should be!

[PaPaLarry]

Interesting because I was told there are actually 3 versions of crepe myrtle, one that grows low to the ground (aka a bush), one that grows to a medium height, and one the is a true tree.
That's so true, in size only. But I think there are multiple kinds.

[Arctic Fox]

I was told, If you don't want them to grow huge and they have been let go in the past you have to be brutal to get them low again.

I half-murdered ours this year as it had been left to run wild for several years - and in no way do I blame Mrs Fox for this, although it was clearly her fault - and it has rewarded us with its best ever start to the season.

I shall half-murder it again next year in the remaining wild areas.

The key with many such plants, including hedges, is not to remove more than one third in total, so that they are not over-stressed but have a good chance to recover.