Crepe myrtles, Lagerstroemia indica, vary in size from dwarf shrubs to multi-trunked and single-trunk trees growing to 30 feet tall. Most varieties produce beautiful blooms starting in spring or mid-summer and can flower for up to three months.
Pruning your crepe myrtle into a multi-trunked or single-trunked tree enhances its autumn and winter interest by highlighting the plant's structure and multi-colored bark.
Follow this guide for shaping your crepe myrtle into a showpiece for year-round beauty in the garden.
The end of winter is a good time to prune crepe myrtle. In most climates this allows you to shape your tree before new growth starts to appear.
It also avoids winter injury which can occur during an extended deep freeze. Pruning encourages new spring growth which supports prolific flowering throughout the bloom season.
Once you've established a shape for your tree, annual pruning may not be necessary except for removing an occasional sucker. Damaged or diseased branches should always be removed and this can be done at any time.
How to Prune Crepe Myrtle
The best tool to use depends on the size of the branch you need to prune or remove. Hand tools including a pruning saw, hand pruner, pole pruner, or lopper are all appropriate for shaping crepe myrtle. Add gloves and eye protection for personal safety.
The first step is to stand back and study the shape of your crepe myrtle. Decide how you want your plant to look. Some questions to consider are whether you want a tree with several trunks or just one and if you prefer long, draping branches or an upright orientation.
For both multi-trunked and single-trunked trees, remove all growth at the base of the plant except for the leader/s (main trunk/s) you want to keep. Plan to prune suckers from the base annually for several years to keep shrubby growth from establishing. A hand pruner should be adequate for this task.
Next, consider which branches should be cut back to create a fuller look to the canopy and remove branches that cross or rub against branches that define the tree's shape.
Removing larger branches is a three-step process. Start by using the hand saw to cut about one-third of the way through the bottom of the branch a foot or so from where it joins the main trunk.
Next, start a cut on top of the branch at a slight angle to the bottom cut and saw through until the branch drops. Finally, look for the collar where the branch is attached to the main trunk. Make a smooth cut leaving the collar.
Tip
Never remove the growing tips of the main trunk(s) on crepe myrtle. This results in the plant developing multiple, small spindly branches that won't support flowers and creates a messy, hard-to-control appearance.
