Help. Crape myrtle murdered!
 

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?

It sholud come back. Now is the time to cyt them

In Georgia, Crape Myrtles are very popular. Most people cut them in the spring, exactly as you described. By the end of June, they are regrown and thriving.

Almost impossible to kill that tree. It should come back better than before.

It will grow back....more than you think!

The harder you cut back the better the regrowth.
Crape Myrtle is as tough as old boots!

No problem. It will be good as new in about 10 weeks or less

I feel your pain. You will notice that TV never, ever, murder their trees, they prune them.

We have an incredible Natchez that we have never allowed anyone to murder, we have had it professional pruned. My suggestion to you is to let it grow back and call in an arborist to prune out the weakest shoots and leave the strongest shoots to turn into proper branches, you will still have the knobby knee look that these severe cuttings leave, but over time with careful pruning you can bring it back. One in my neighborhood was murdered over and over again, the new home owners have brought it back and it is now about 30ft tall and just beautiful.

Don’t despair. Happened to ours first year we were down here. I told our trimmer not to do it anymore, as they’re not supposed to be trimmed back that way (although somehow, many people down here thinks it’s supposed to be). Our trees are now gorgeous and very tall. We’ve trimmed a few branches that cross and lower “volunteers”, but otherwise leave them alone.

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.

It will grow back and look even better than before. We have ours done every other year and it looks bad until spring and then...like magic it sprouts new buds and looks very nice. If you have not had this done in the past they probably did you a favor. Just my opinion...

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

Not to worry! Having lived in Georgia and Florida for many years and having owned Crepe Myrtles, these trees get cut back annually and grow out quickly.

Crape Myrtles are very resilient. It make take several years but your tree should recover

Not to worry. If you look around while driving you’ll see a lot of them cut back. It will all grow back.
Ours is trimmed like that every year.by our lawn mowing company.

Florida will fix it.
 

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.

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.

Relax. Pruning is normal and should be done each year usually in March.

It makes them thicker with more blooms, TV has straggling look crappy

fire them and find someone else to do the cutting. after they replace the tree

Be patient ….It will come back.

Your on the right track
 

For maximum blooms and beauty, they should be trimmed back around the first of February every year.

What they did is exactly what they should do. You cut them back, way back, and they will come out beautifully. You do not need another tree! Promise.

thx for your reply, based on what you said, i was able to uncover a wealth on info on these lovely trees. you are correct. thx!

Let it go! They know how to prune a crape myrtle it’s their job. I’m April you’ll appreciate them.

Crape murder
 

Will come back. Be patient. If you do not repeat cut that way, and trim properly, it will rebound and look terrific.

It will come back beautiful in the Spring. Mine get cut back every year, just like that, and they Bloom Beautifully in the Spring.

Sorry to hear about the tree being murdered. When we lived in Alabama we had close to 50 on our property. The ones that did the best were never cut back like yours. The ones close to the house that were trimmed back developed the knuckles and looked bad until the new growth came out. They never looked as good as the unpruned ones. We have 6 here and I will never murder them as they are not close to the house.

the flower clusters in pruned crape myrtles tend to be larger than those from unpruned plants.

Crepe Murder articles and videos.
 

There are many articles and videos on “crepe murder,” why NOT to do it, and what to do if it happens. I suggest people review the available material.

Normal trimmimg for crepe myrtles
 

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.

Murdered Crepe Myrtle
 

My first year I made them promise not to cut mine back. Then some weeks after my neighbors' trees started growing back theirs were full and healthy and mine looked puny. It usually takes warm weather to start the regrowing and you'll see the difference. Don’t panic, you will see the value sooner than you think.

According to UF class
 

The proper way to trim crepe myrtles is to only "up the canopy". Triming lower branches only. This helps to provide the shade tree that you can enjoy in your yard. "Knuckling" the tree the first time let alone every year to any tree is awful and incorrect.

I would bet that greater than 90% of privately owned crepe myrtles are cut back every late winter in The Villages. I murder mine only to see them come back more lush than before. The only thing I can say is do nothing and enjoy them this summer.

This is what many do when pruning them so your landscaper likely thought they were just doing their job. Actually, it is NOT the correct way to prune crepe myrtles. It will come back, but if you keep doing it you may not get the desired result long term. As someone else noted, the TV landscapers do not do this. Please read:
Stop Crape Murder: Don’t Cut Back Your Myrtles : NorthEscambia.com

That's the way it is to be pruned. This is the time of year to trim.

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!!!👍👍

The tree will be fine. Many people cut them this time of year. No need to replace it. It will be good as new by blooming time.

Yes, I did read on the internet, and this way of pruning is wrong!

Google "How to prune a crepe myrtle". I read every article on the first page, and they all say the same thing: Do NOT cut it back like this. Simply cut out any crossed branches or suckers, or any weak, thin branches inside the canopy. You will have a beautiful, graceful tree with lovely blooms.

I wish that when landscapers see that a crepe myrtle has not been previously hacked, they would ask before touching it. Or better, ask when they begin a contract with a homeowner.

Our landscaper did the same thing as happened to the OP. I am furious.

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.