Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   Landscape Talk (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/landscape-talk-129/)
-   -   Help. Crape myrtle murdered! (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/landscape-talk-129/help-crape-myrtle-murdered-302972/)

Twofour6 02-20-2020 10:49 AM
Crape Myrtle trimming
 
B4 coming to FL, we lived in GA for 2.5 years. We had 7 Crapes in our large back yard. Come home from work one day and found what you found. Chewed out my trimmer. He told me they's come back better than before. they did. If you want standard 6'-10' crape that's what you'll get and you're going to love it. If you want a 18'/24' ugly crape don't cut them back. Come to my street where I can show you both types.

Rocket6789 02-20-2020 10:52 AM
Just to clarify these are crepe Myrtle you're talking about not crape myrtles, Which are nothing but glorified weeds.

erojohn 02-20-2020 11:08 AM
You will thank your trimmer in a few months. May look butchered now but Short of agent orange this tree will come back and thrive with beautiful lush foliage and long blooming flowers.

crash 02-20-2020 11:16 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spoiler (Post 1719636)
No problem. It will be good as new in about 10 weeks or less
Not true it will never be as good as new. It will live but never look as nice. There is a reason it is called crape murder and the tree should not be trimmed this way.

crash 02-20-2020 11:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP (Post 1719766)
Why do people think one type of pruning is "wrong" vs. another? Who can say what is wrong or right? It's a plant---do what you want.
The master Gardner’s say that is not the way to trim this tree. Yes you can trim it any way you like but that does not make it right.

crash 02-20-2020 11:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wielen (Post 1719752)
They are always supposed to be cut back like that!! It will come back with all its glory this spring!!! If you look at the crepe myrtles all around they are all cut back!!! Read on the internet that is exactly what should be done!!!👍👍
Maybe you should read because that is exactly the opposite of what is recommended.

cricket73 02-20-2020 11:43 AM
Not Murdered, lived in North Carolina had 4 crepe myrtles. They were always cut back severely and come back in a couple of months more beautiful then before. That's a normal pruning in Jan/ Feb for that type of tree, seems strange but it does work..

eltingg 02-20-2020 12:13 PM
In my experience you will see new growth very soon. These plants grow as hedges, and tall trees based on how much trimming us done. I have one and trim it way back every year. It comes back fuller with plenty of blooms.

Villagesgal 02-20-2020 12:25 PM
It will come back, just never allow it to happen again. Mine was pruned, chopped off, 5 years ago after 14 years of allowing nature to let it grow as it should. It is just now finally looking natural again. You will want to prune out crossing branches, suckers and weak branches. Do this yourself. Eventually it will be beautiful again as God intended it to grow. Give it time and if you haven't already paid the company, charge them for ruining your tree without your consent, if you already paid them, never use them again. Good luck.

prntxpresn 02-20-2020 12:47 PM
Call Tree Frog for true answer - certified arborist
 
See above

nevjudbaker 02-20-2020 01:05 PM
You are suppose to cut them back. They bloom more often when they are cut back.

OhioBuckeye 02-20-2020 02:54 PM
Ohiobuckeye
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JC and John (Post 1719597)
What can be done for my crape myrtle that was cut off We came home from errands to find all branches cut off. We never gave them permission to cut the tree only the shrubs and I have specifically told them on at least one other occasion that we do not want the tree cut. I am so livid over this I just can’t stand it! Now our 8 year old tree is 50 inches of stub! I called the company and left a message since no one answered after 6pm. We are going to demand they replace the tree. Any thoughts?
Well I can tell you that they Murdered Myrtle. Don’t let them tell you that it will come back. Myrtle’s are a very fragile tree & can only be trimmed certain times of the yr. & nows not the time. To cut it down to 50 in. now it won’t make it. Whoever trimmed it had better take a class on listening I’m sure they’ll give you a line BS. Good luck getting these amateurs to replace it!

Sunflower33 02-20-2020 03:53 PM
I have mine cut every year at this time and it comes back beautiful every year.

RobertM 02-20-2020 06:05 PM
It will grow back no worry give it time

ts12755 02-20-2020 06:25 PM
They always cut them like that...they grow back stronger and healthier real quick.

JP 02-20-2020 08:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by crash (Post 1719788)
The master Gardner’s say that is not the way to trim this tree. Yes you can trim it any way you like but that does not make it right.
And where does the master gardner get his info. HMMM....

E Cascade 02-20-2020 08:08 PM
Crape Myrtle
 
https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/pruning/crape-myrtle/

big guy 02-20-2020 10:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by stadry (Post 1719674)
good luck w/that - replacement tree,,, these trees aren't expensive however you can't 'murder' these things - even cutting them off at ground level won't do it. however, IF you don't cut them back (prune) ea yr prior to bloom, they'll turn into ugly multi-branched weed trees,,, pruning to most, is managing growth, & necessary for the trees' good health,,, obviously some think its 'murder' but its only a brush burn to the tree :-) usually ours are chopped in feb
to me, an 'arborist' is a lawn/tree maintenance fellow who speaks better english & charges more to tell you the same thing in a much longer & more articulate explanation/presentation
This is simply not true....on any count.

big guy 02-20-2020 10:54 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JC and John (Post 1719597)
What can be done for my crape myrtle that was cut off We came home from errands to find all branches cut off. We never gave them permission to cut the tree only the shrubs and I have specifically told them on at least one other occasion that we do not want the tree cut. I am so livid over this I just can’t stand it! Now our 8 year old tree is 50 inches of stub! I called the company and left a message since no one answered after 6pm. We are going to demand they replace the tree. Any thoughts?
I would certainly ask them to replace it but you run the risk of it being replaced with junk. I would be outraged over this type of thing. Remember what/who you are dealing with. I should send you a PM.

big guy 02-20-2020 10:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bhferri85 (Post 1719670)
We had 6 of them at our prior home and cut them back (murdered) every February. Great for root and trunk development and they come back better than before every spring.
Where do you get your information that they come back better than before and that crepe murder is great for trunk and root development?
It is not true, branches come back weaker, break easily and bloom later.
In the meantime they look awful.

big guy 02-20-2020 11:01 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gmb727 (Post 1719688)
Agree with the others. This is standard maintenance for this type of tree. We learned that when we lived in TN. Scalped it in Feb to make room for the new growth. It grew taller and fuller each year.
Sorry, this is not standard maintenance except by substandard maintenance people.

big guy 02-20-2020 11:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimchristie (Post 1719737)
Cutting crepe myrtles to the stubs is a normal trimming procedure. Most people cut them every year in February. I have 3 of them that I cut every year. Don't worry. They come back fast and thicker with more flowers each time it is done. They will be just as tall as before in no time once the growing season starts next month.
I will sound like your mother, if most people jumped off a bridge would you do it? It is not the right thing to do and it is like the blind leading the blind. It creates weak stems, big blooms that the weak stems have a difficult time holding and breakage if it's windy or a storm.

Tdsch5012@yahoo.com 02-20-2020 11:14 PM
I had one and always cut it back in spring. It will come back no worries.

big guy 02-20-2020 11:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP (Post 1719912)
And where does the master gardner get his info. HMMM....
Years of training by University of Florida agricultural and horticultural professionals.

Mmarr 02-21-2020 05:43 AM
Give it time tree will regrow better then ever.. blooming all the way..
Best to be cut each year..

Mmarr 02-21-2020 05:45 AM
Most wait to late to trim the tree..I always trimmed late fall right after blooming season.. look around the villages..

dallman12 02-21-2020 05:46 AM
So how do you kill a root system of a crepe Myrtle? My plumber is warming me they the roots of a tree I just cut and grinned down will eventually tear up my cement patio and maybe even break my water lines. Previous owners planted these trees too close to the house. Any recommendations to ensure the root system dies?

Villagesgal 02-21-2020 08:12 AM
Drill a hole in what's left of the stump and pour straight roundup or vegetation killer in the hole and then cover with plastic wrap. This will kill any remaining roots.

theruizs 02-21-2020 09:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP (Post 1719766)
Why do people think one type of pruning is "wrong" vs. another? Who can say what is wrong or right? It's a plant---do what you want.
Yes, there is a “wrong” way, and that is any way other than what the owner wants. That is the main point of the OP. They asked them not to do it, and they did it anyway.

justjim 02-21-2020 09:37 AM
Tree
 
Your tree was not “murdered”, it’s definitely still alive. Chill out as this was just a mistake and a communication problem. :popcorn: I don’t want you to get the guy who made the mistake fired. :boom:

OhioBuckeye 02-21-2020 11:00 AM
Ohiobuckeye
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by toeser (Post 1719685)
I hack mine off every year and it regrows at least 8 feet. No need to replace it, but you do deserve at least an apology from your care service.
But remember toeser, they said they cut it down to 50” (5 ft.) that’s basicly just the trunk of the tree. Not saying you’re wrong but I’m sure you just trimmed yours didn’t you? We lived in The Villages, FL. for 8 yrs. & our Myrtle just got trimmed in early spring. The nursery we bought from told us how to care for it, they said not to trim it like the city does along our city streets. If they just planted it, I’m guessing it won’t make it!

OhioBuckeye 02-21-2020 12:16 PM
Ohiobuckeye
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeyes76 (Post 1719732)
the flower clusters in pruned crape myrtles tend to be larger than those from unpruned plants.
I’m a Buckeye too. Yes, you said the right word, Pruned. The original comment said they told the pruners not to touch.the myrtle & now they cut it down to 50”. (5 ft.) that’s a stump. Personally I think they just Murdered Myrtle!

stadry 02-21-2020 05:07 PM
3 Attachment(s)
we maintain crepe myrtles at several hoa/condo communities - you can see how these flourish when pruned ea yr to the knuckle - not how they turn into scrub trees when they get no care

stadry 02-21-2020 05:11 PM
no idea why the 3rd didn't post - trying this

CFrance 02-21-2020 09:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by stadry (Post 1720258)
we maintain crepe myrtles at several hoa/condo communities - you can see how these flourish when pruned ea yr to the knuckle - not how they turn into scrub trees when they get no care
Where did you get that picture of the un-murdered tree? We have never cut ours to the knuckle, and they are gorgeous and graceful. When the knuckled ones start to grow, they throw out long shoots that look like the suckers that come out of the base of a trunk. In the meantime, they look horrible. That first picture looks worse than the second one, in my opinion.

big guy 02-22-2020 12:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by stadry (Post 1720258)
we maintain crepe myrtles at several hoa/condo communities - you can see how these flourish when pruned ea yr to the knuckle - not how they turn into scrub trees when they get no care
I'm a Buckeye too for what ever that is worth. That first picture that shows the crepe myrtles "knuckled" is just downright ugly. It doesn't look like anything in nature. The second picture looks like a normal tree.

justjim 02-22-2020 09:21 AM
To each his own but most Agronomists will tell you to trim the tree. In the OP’S case, as explained, it apparently was a communication problem. Homeowners have every right not to prune if that is their preference. The good news is the tree will quickly bounce back in a couple of months more healthy and beautiful than ever.

JP 02-22-2020 09:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by big guy (Post 1719953)
Years of training by University of Florida agricultural and horticultural professionals.
Every idea that is an "accepted truth" always begins with one persons opinion which can be right or wrong and over time becomes an accepted norm or truth.

JC and John 02-22-2020 11:14 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JC and John (Post 1719597)
What can be done for my crape myrtle that was cut off We came home from errands to find all branches cut off. We never gave them permission to cut the tree only the shrubs and I have specifically told them on at least one other occasion that we do not want the tree cut. I am so livid over this I just can’t stand it! Now our 8 year old tree is 50 inches of stub! I called the company and left a message since no one answered after 6pm. We are going to demand they replace the tree. Any thoughts?
Here is an update on our dilemma. Our pruning company contacted us and apologized for the miscommunication and the cutting of our tree. Next we sent photos to them per their request. We now have an agreement in writing to monitor the tree taking pictures as necessary, check regrowth in 6 months, they are not to ever prune the tree again, and any signs of dying they will replace the tree. Thanks to everyone for your advice and positive comments that our tree will come back to its glory in time.

seoulbrooks 02-22-2020 12:16 PM
What a Dump and a New Condo Association - YouTube


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