As a landscape professional, crepe myrtles are trees; let them be trees. Cutting short and low does NOT increase blooms. We only prune dead branches, water sprouts, base and root suckers, clean off seed heads and any center bound limbs which may cause rubbing of limbs to create a raw spot which may lead to infection or insect infestation.
umm pruning the canopy DOES produce larger bloom heads. A crepe myrtle canopy left natural looks great (in the right place) but it will have smaller, more airy bloom characteristics. By pruning the canopy you are changing the apical dominance of that particular branch and as a result more energy is used for growth and bloom production. Roses are similar.. they LOVE to be pruned and the result is obvious. The only real issue is the astheticall look a person prefers. . Formal or natural. .
I was gonna say the exact same thing, they grow so tall that you have to look way up to see the blooms. Is keeping them short the best thing for the tree? Maybe maybe not but it’s up to the owner to decide what they want them to appear like
I've had Crepe Myrtles for over 30 years & am just now learning there is a proper way to trim them! I've been a Myrtle Murderer and didn't know it! Mine is in a confined space in front of my porch so I've had to tame it & just whacked away. Thanks for such an informative video!
"Topping" and "shearing" is certainly one way to control the growth/height of crepes (as you said they are a bit out of their element space-wise.) It is not, however, the only way nor what I would consider the "proper" way. That requires some patience and long-term planning. Removal of some main trunks now and then is required. You must plan for and allow a succession of new ones to emerge from the base. If done each year, with proper planning, you will have a mix of new, intermediate, and mature trunks in constant rotation. This will give you a more natural look year-round, control height, and eliminate the ugly Medusa-heads that occur with topping. Your way does work, and involves less investment in time if you don't mind the un-natural look.
Any selective pruning is a manipulation of the natural growth of any shrub or tree.. We shape boxwoods and Helleri hollies in a very unnatural way to produce a desired asthetic. The style of pruning this guy used is in no way harmful to the crepe myrtle and simply achieves a desired astheticall appearance. Not a "natural look" but definitely not wrong. . Allowing that 6 to 8 inches above last year's growth is smart from a horticultural point of view in that it tends to produce much bigger bloom heads without compromising the strength of the canopy branching or the health of the tree. I think the real issue is that some folks prefer a natural, flowing landscape while others prefer a more formal manicured look.
Both my daughters have crepe myrtle trees in their front yards and never prune them and they both look amazing. I love the natural shape in winter. It's early spring here (Melbourne Australia) and they are leafing out. Such beautiful trees! I suppose everyone likes something different and I can understand the desire to be neat and tidy but that's not our family. :)
No you don't, Tightwad. You can transplant them to a more suitable location and plant something more appropriate in their place, or you can allow them to grow as shrubs instead of in a tree form. Crape myrtles are not trees. Botanically, they're a large shrub. People just form them into trees, and that does work... and it looks good when done correctly, but what you are showing here is NOT how you maintain them in tree form. Take it from someone who actually works with a tree man, in Texas, where we have those things everywhere. It pains me to see people scalping crape myrtles. You've turned them into *crap myrtles*... sorry to break it to ya, pal.
Thanks very much! A previous owner of our home planted a half-dozen big crape myrtles along the back property line and they grow up into the power lines running overhead, so it's not a question of whether to prune, it's a question of whether we handle it or the utilities people do. This year, what with COVID-related economic issues, we can't afford to hire a pro, so we're tackling the job ourselves. I really appreciate the info and your attention to detail. Wish me luck! :)
We have one in the front yard (San Antonio, TX) and it tolerates direct sunlight well. I stumbled on your video because I am wanting to propagate from it. I just think that three is better than one. Thank you for your video. It gave me some good ideas for working with our plant.
Good video! I see you taking some heat in the comments but I do mine the same way. Crepe Myrtle pruning is like growing a bonsai tree. Make your tree your work of art. Good video!
fitnesschallenge1000 Yes. I do get some heat. I remove the inappropriate or rude ones but leave the ones who are helpful or provide constructive criticism. Arborist will day you should never tip a crape but also agree that if the tree is planted in the wrong area, topping is better than removing the tree all together.
I live in a planned development here in NE Florida and along our main boulevard the developer planted crepe myrtles all along the length of the road, but kinda close to each other. Every late winter maintenance workers prune the trees this way and every year the trees are just as beautiful as the year before. The blooms are still spectacular and they look absolutely gorgeous. So I don't understand some of the rage about this video's pruning method. Crepe Myrtles seem to be more resilient than others give them credit for.
I'm so glad you said this too Ariel Sarino. I see the same. I think there are different species of CMs that need individualized care. I think this method is right for his species and location. I have several that he mentioned that look like huge fountains and they don't flower like the ones along the road - which are already flowering down here.
This is called crepe murder. they're resilient plants, they can regrow even if you do a bad job of pruning. but this looks unnatural and the internodal cuts cause a lot of ugly sucker growth.
We were taught not to lop crepes, but instead prune out suckers and to preserve odd numbers of the main trunks/ branches. Would you mind inserting a photo you these tress in bloom?
These past years I prune it down and opposite years I trim off the previous trim.. I try to keep them maintained by trimming once a year depending where they are planted such as near a house or fence... I keep some growing like a tree..I prune one like an umbrella during winter ...
Julie Fields You are welcome. If your tree has room to go, I don’t recommend pruning annually. This is primarily used for trees in areas they are too big for.
@@TightWadDIY I have a Natchez White CM that is a little close to the corner of my garage(10 ft). Probably not the right variety for the location(smallish lot) but in order to keep it in check do you recommend the same type of pruning technique? It's not that large now but in time it will be. Good video btw.
If you have a crepe myrtle that is too tall, can you do a more aggressive pruning? We just purchased a house with two crepe myrtles that are close to the house that are just too tall/higher than the eaves… What would happen if we made more significant cuts lower down?
I'm glad you made this! I live in Savannah and I have 2 crape myrtles on either side corner of my house - planted by landscapers when I bought brand new 6 yrs ago. These grow like weeds here. I'm sure that people would call this crape murder - but when you have them against a house or in small spaces you have to cut them back. In 6 years mine would be HUGE if I didn't cut them back. They lose their shape and look a mess too tall and become too "leggy" and "viney" so - love this.
Michele Zink I 100% agree. Home owners can’t help where landscapers planted their trees. We just maintain them with proper pruning so they can continue to thrive and be beautiful!
@@TightWadDIY AMEN - have already been watching several other videos of yours - great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to make these! It's time consuming I'm certain but I am so, so grateful! Subscribed!
Hi! I have found your video to be the best for me since it shows very well how you’re trimming the tree. I have one tree that I have trimmed so far. I could not trim it even across like you did, but every branch has 2 branches approximately 6” sticking up. It is only about 2 years old. I tried to add some pictures, but can’t figure out how to do it.
I just watched some other videos saying not to do this kind of pruning and they called it Crape Murder. What do you think about that? Is there a right and wrong way to prune? The videos I watched was the grumpy gardener and hort tube.
Wilbur Yuen If your trees have room to grow large, you can use their pruning method. If your trees are in an area with limited space, this method is acceptable. Just be sure not to cut to the same location each year. That is the true meaning of crape murder.
There are several cultivars of crape myrtles. If you have limited space use one that grows accordingly. There is no "acceptable" way to top Crape Myrtles. All those branches you are cutting (the ones looking ugly) are the result from topping them in the first place.
This video is wrong ! I worked as a horticulturist at a botanical garden in the south. We had dozens of crepe myrtles of many varieties and we never did this to any of them. They are tough plants and will survive this type of pruning, probably, but they will never have the natural beauty they are capable of.
The only reason you would want to do this is if the top has become unruly. The tree will grow 3-5 feet taller in the next year. The problem with commuting crepe murder (like this) repeatedly is that the tree will develop nobs below the canopy that make the trunks look ugly.
Thank you. I’m so afraid to do this. 😢 I live on the Jersey shore and was told to do this late winter early spring; it’s now early spring. So, after reading 3 articles and watching your video, I’m going to give this a try. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Very helpful TW as we recently moved and now are far enough south for crepe myrtles. The house we bought had a crepe that looked like was given a flat top cut. Now we have many new chutes close to the ground….I guess they need trimmed back?.
I planted a Crape Myrtle last year and did some shaping to it already. It's about 3.5ft tall, however it can mature to 10-12ft. Can I just keep it at 3-4ft tall by cutting it down a few inches every year?
Thank you for the info. When a crape myrtle trim ends up being too high over time, is it ok to trim back further and start over in a way and if so what's the best way? Thank you!
I have one in the front yard on the property I just bought. Long Island New York here. From what I have researched I think now is a good time to prune right? Or have I missed the window.
Mine have started new growth already in the south. If yours haven’t, you should be able to prune. If it has room to grow, there is no need to do this dramatic pruning and a thinning could be effective.
I have the dwarf crepe myrtles. Mine is more like a hedge. I was using a hedge trimmer on mine & not getting many blooms. I was told to trim them off an extra foot where you want the height to be. The new growth is where your blooms are. Does it hurt them to prune them in early winter to allow more time to heal before the sap starts coming back up?
My crepe myrtles are different in that they have a tall (6') single trunk and then fan out. Is the pruning procedure the same as for the shorter trees. I also gave several shorter bushes. Do they get trimmed like what your video shows? They are only 2 years old.
Lol at all the people telling you you're doing it wrong. Seriously people, get over it and deal with it. At least the dude is taking care of his yard. It's actually HIS yard, not yours, so it doesn't really matter if you think he's doing it wrong. If others like the results, fine, if not, fine. Personally I don't really like the cropped look, but I also don't care what dude does with his own property.
my sister in law has a long drive way lined with these. not sure what species or whatever but my question is they have never been pruned and have grown wild in every which way. can I apply this technique to their initial cut and when should I do it. I was thinking this fall when things have gone dormant. or can I do it this summer?
You can still use this method. These trees were 5 years old and unkept when I moved into the house. This is my 4th year pruning them. Ideally you would prune them in late winter before temps begin to rise. In the south, we prune in late January or early February.
I ordered a dwarf Bellinni crepe myrtle and it has not been delivered yet, but i was told it would come in a 4" pot and about 6" or 12". I have no idea on how to pot this up. Getting no help from the grower. I have 2 choices on where to plant it, but because of its size, i don't want to risk killing it. I have in front of my sunny front home a 3' x 3' foot spot where i have been growing Canna's, and i have a 22" diameter container. I prefer to grow it in the ground of the 3' x 3' spot. It is suppose to grow up to about 4 or 5 feet high and wide...so it would be the perfect spot for it. Can i just take it out of the 4" pot and plant it there?
Rather than pruning to contain size, I'm currently removing a dwarf specimen which was planted too close to a flower bed and I am giving it to a neighbor who has the room for it thrive to its full potential. Experts I follow say the correct goals when pruning reachable specimens are light cuts for shape and beauty, removal of dead/non-thriving branches and suckers, and removal of scraping or rubbing branches. Otherwise this form of polite crape murder seen in this video leads to spindly, leggy branch growth and negative impact over time.
Can you advise me what to do please ? My crepe myrtles are flowering beautifully here in Sydney Australia. But the blooms are weighing down some of the branches and I’m wondering if I should give lighter prune early ???
Paula Rudevics Mine usually only have that problem when it rains. The full blooms hold too much water and some of the branches break. I don’t think you should prune them while in bloom. If a branch breaks, just prune it off.
@@TightWadDIY This is exactly why horticulturists advise against this kind of pruning. The trees become too weak at the top to handle the size and weight of the blooms. The pruning you are doing is also leaving the trees susceptible to rot, and disease. They also have the "knotty" look from all the cuts, which detracts from the natural beauty of a Crape Myrtle. It's fine if you choose to do this, as they are your trees. But to post an instructional video and title it "How to Properly Prune", when you are in fact teaching something that is the exact opposite of what professionals (horticulturists, arborists, and basically anyone who has actually studied the science of growing trees) recommend, it's pretty irresponsible. From reading the comments being left, it sounds like some people are assuming that you are a professional, or at least that you know what you are doing. You are doing a disservice to the public,
You can wet the trunks and scrub them off with a wire brush. A healthy myrtle is more lichen resistant. Try fertilizing twice a year for young trees and once a year for more mature trees.
Thank you for the video. We just moved to Georgia and have two of these. Is it too late for me to prune? I'm not sure if I should just leave it until next year. Thanks
Susan Mangina You can do a less aggressive pruning now. If they are simply too large for the are they are planted in, you can still prune using this method to get them under control. They should still bloom this year.
Do not do this is you prefer the correct natural canopy growth of a Crape Myrtle. Search UA-cam for proper ways to prune and follow the advice of any of the local Ag extensions from university horticulture programs. They say do not do it this way.
+wolfpackfan94 Crape Myrtle trees do not naturally form what I would consider a canopy. Arborists do show a different method for pruning these trees to prevent disease and increase longevity. While more natural, it does not promote the visual aesthetics many home owners prefer.
Great job. . and that's NOT crepe murder.. you've pruned ABOVE last year's cut not only producing a nice looking, strong canopy but you get bigger fuller bloom heads. Some folks think it's a sin to prune the canopy of a crepe myrtle but it really depends on the shape and size you're going for.. Crepe Myrtles are trees but they don't have the slow growth habits of an oak or maple etc.. Crepe murder is pruning back to the same spot every year. This produces a big knot of scar tissue and weak branches that break easily.. (please don't lol) But to maximize the bloom potential and achieve a more formal shape of tree, I prune crepes exactly as you have demonstrated... and i also am a landscape professional. Pruning technique is an art form which requires knowledge of a particular plants growth and bloom habits manipulating them into an astheticall piece of art.. Tell a bonsai artist they're "doing it wrong" lol Achieving a desired result is never wrong.
Hey there I was wondering if I can I email you pictures and videos of my crape myrtel, I want to give it the tree shape but not sure if j got the Bush kind or tree , or all they all trees with the proper pruning)? Thanks!
+Mad Season Staley These trees are about 7 years old. I've pruned them this way for the past 5 years and they begin blooming in about May and bloom all the way through the fall. I live in Georgia so your geographical location will determine when and how long yours bloom. I would expect your trees to bloom earlier than August year year. They were likely in shock from the transplant and focused on root development instead of blooms.
I imagine NY will have a much shorter blooming period due to the shorter warm season. They will recover from what people call crape murder. It just takes longer and is not good for the tree.
We just recently bought a house and have very large crape myrtles across the front of our home that have been neglected for several years. They have grown very tall probably 12 to 14 ft high when and how short should I cut them. I have always kept mine like yours.
@@TightWadDIY This would be true if the title of the video was "How I like to Prune Crape Myrtles" instead of "How to Properly Prune". You're putting out bad information.
Just read that these branches are supposed to be amazing for discouraging/eliminating fleas. Supposedly you just lay branches around areas of the house where you want to get rid of them, and they go elsewhere bc they hate being near it. The woman who used this method was a master gardener with "two green hands" according to her daughter, and knew her stuff-looking forward to trying this if I can just find some crape myrtle in the Asheville NC area. Maybe put some under my bed or around my dog's bedding and see what happens, I'm experimenting w natural methods bc Frontline etc is just too toxic to put into a dog's bloodstream IMO. Thought I'd pass that on for anybody who's dealing with fleas, and since you have to treat the dog, house, and yard sometimes, scattering some crape myrtle branches around your yard would probably help.
Dannie Giirl Next time, hold your head high and say thank you! You are doing it yourself and saving money! Money that can be used elsewhere to better your life. My UA-cam channel is called TightWadRepairs. There is a movement called tightwadnation started by financial advisors from The Money Guy Show. You should check them out. Please don't be offended, it is meant as a compliment.
Hi, I just stumbled across your channel, and I was wondering what variety of crape myrtle this is? I just planted a shrubby one, and want one that won't get too tall, and would be easy to train into a tree. Thanks for sharing your technique! And thanks for insisting on the safety glasses. I'm in the medical profession and see way too many injuries that are preventable.
Melanie Wallace I did not personally plant these trees so I'm not sure the name of the variety. I would recommend calling a local nursery to ask them what type of crêpe myrtle will do well in your area and has the size requirements that you need.
Crape myrtles ARE shrubs. They are simply pruned and cultivated to form the tree shape. But if you buzzed a crape myrtle back to the ground and allowed it to regrow on its own, it would form a medium to large shrub. Some species and varieties "tree up" more readily than others, and some go more bushy by nature, but they are all technically considered to be shrubs. Perhaps the variety that you have is just one that prefers to be a shrub. If you want one with a more tree-like habit, there are several that have "Native American" names... such as 'Miami', which is one of my favorites. It bears deep pink blooms and a darker brownish bark, and it tends to grow fairly upright. But they can also get quite tall, to 25 feet or even more. 'Tuscarora' is a bit shorter, typically getting to about 15 feet, with coral pink flowers and leaves that take on a beautiful red color in the fall. It tends to be a bit shrubbier, but it can be maintained as a tree. 'Natchez' is a tall variety, but it has a dwarf version as well! This one has white blooms and a nice shape. There are many semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties available... this is a pretty good list, from 'Southern Living' magazine: www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/choose-a-smaller-crepe-myrtle
It should have the name/color and height it will grow on the nursery tag. They come in dwarf sizes 2-5 feet, medium tree is 10-15 and large trees can grow 25-30 feet tall. Many colors and growth patterns too. We just planted 65 white Acoma and red Tontos on our 9 acres, both are meduim size.
River Front You can prune most evergreen shrubs anytime throughout spring and summer. You just don't want to prune them anytime a month before the expected first frost in the fall. I typically prune mine 2-3 times a year as needed.
D Lewis I appreciate it. I did actually record a follow up video. I should have linked it in the video! Click this link to see it. ua-cam.com/video/vJrX765Tajg/v-deo.html
Laurie Rose Jones Sorry. This is one of my earlier videos before I had a decent camera and tripod. I made sure to explain what I was doing in each step incase you couldn’t see.
If you watch a few crepe myrtle videos you will see that there is no agreement on how to prune: trained arborists do it one way, homeowners another ... Homeowners care what the neighbors think. Arborists are concerned with the health of the tree.
kayumochi I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is the preferred look for most home owners. If it killed the trees, there would be very few Crape Myrtles left.
My Myrtles are cut in the same spot every year, which is 6 feet tall. I cut off the new growth. Until I get the base of the tree bigger then I will concentrate on growing it taller :)
This method is for trees that would naturally grow too large for their current area. It’s a controlled pruning which yes some call Crape Murder for shock value. I know of trees pruned this way for over 20 years that are still thriving so it’s a poorly radicalized name for pruning.
That's ridiculous, I don't trim mine and it flowers beautifully every year, that's why yours looks straggly every year, you need a lesson on how to prune
😂😂 Thanks pal! You should check the follow up video showing how beautiful they bloom. This is meant to control their growth. Mine aren’t planted in a good location.
Gordin Freman Getting a small cultivar isn’t an option if you aren’t the one planting the tree. I don’t suggest removing a tree if you can prune it to an appropriate size and it still blooms heartily. IF it dies, which would take years and years, then replace it with a smaller cultivar.
B G808 I actually found this method on a reputable nursery’s website. It’s acceptable for pruning crapes in an area not large enough for their natural growth structure. I’ve been pruning crapes this way for over 20 year and not has a single one has died from being “murdered”. They still bloom like they are young.
@@TightWadDIY You have plenty of room there. You can thin it out so you'll have dappled shade, or can see right through the tree: ua-cam.com/video/MpeweeUhLZQ/v-deo.html
@@TightWadDIY Then you planted the wrong tree dude. Rip it out unless you like looking at a mutant tree 7 - 8 months out of the year when it doesn't have foliage. I'm pretty sure your neighbors don't like to stare at that thing. You've heard the term crepe murder, right?
Raccoon Eyes I hope it’s still dormant. Depends on where you live and what the weather has been like. I live in Georgia and mine is just now showing signs of life in the past 3-4 days.
As a landscape professional, crepe myrtles are trees; let them be trees. Cutting short and low does NOT increase blooms. We only prune dead branches, water sprouts, base and root suckers, clean off seed heads and any center bound limbs which may cause rubbing of limbs to create a raw spot which may lead to infection or insect infestation.
iMOWclyde This pruning is to control size as they were planted in a space that is too small for the trees.
you are right
umm pruning the canopy DOES produce larger bloom heads. A crepe myrtle canopy left natural looks great (in the right place) but it will have smaller, more airy bloom characteristics.
By pruning the canopy you are changing the apical dominance of that particular branch and as a result more energy is used for growth and bloom production.
Roses are similar.. they LOVE to be pruned and the result is obvious.
The only real issue is the astheticall look a person prefers. . Formal or natural. .
I was gonna say the exact same thing, they grow so tall that you have to look way up to see the blooms. Is keeping them short the best thing for the tree? Maybe maybe not but it’s up to the owner to decide what they want them to appear like
I agree it’s like another form of crepe minder. Looks ugly in winter and ruins natural shape. Don’t recommend
I've had Crepe Myrtles for over 30 years & am just now learning there is a proper way to trim them! I've been a Myrtle Murderer and didn't know it! Mine is in a confined space in front of my porch so I've had to tame it & just whacked away. Thanks for such an informative video!
"Topping" and "shearing" is certainly one way to control the growth/height of crepes (as you said they are a bit out of their element space-wise.) It is not, however, the only way nor what I would consider the "proper" way. That requires some patience and long-term planning.
Removal of some main trunks now and then is required. You must plan for and allow a succession of new ones to emerge from the base. If done each year, with proper planning, you will have a mix of new, intermediate, and mature trunks in constant rotation. This will give you a more natural look year-round, control height, and eliminate the ugly Medusa-heads that occur with topping. Your way does work, and involves less investment in time if you don't mind the un-natural look.
Any selective pruning is a manipulation of the natural growth of any shrub or tree..
We shape boxwoods and Helleri hollies in a very unnatural way to produce a desired asthetic.
The style of pruning this guy used is in no way harmful to the crepe myrtle and simply achieves a desired astheticall appearance. Not a "natural look" but definitely not wrong. .
Allowing that 6 to 8 inches above last year's growth is smart from a horticultural point of view in that it tends to produce much bigger bloom heads without compromising the strength of the canopy branching or the health of the tree.
I think the real issue is that some folks prefer a natural, flowing landscape while others prefer a more formal manicured look.
Both my daughters have crepe myrtle trees in their front yards and never prune them and they both look amazing. I love the natural shape in winter. It's early spring here (Melbourne Australia) and they are leafing out. Such beautiful trees! I suppose everyone likes something different and I can understand the desire to be neat and tidy but that's not our family. :)
neverlostforwords I love both looks but mine were planted in a small space by the home builder so I have to prune them each year.
I understand. :)
No you don't, Tightwad. You can transplant them to a more suitable location and plant something more appropriate in their place, or you can allow them to grow as shrubs instead of in a tree form. Crape myrtles are not trees. Botanically, they're a large shrub. People just form them into trees, and that does work... and it looks good when done correctly, but what you are showing here is NOT how you maintain them in tree form. Take it from someone who actually works with a tree man, in Texas, where we have those things everywhere. It pains me to see people scalping crape myrtles. You've turned them into *crap myrtles*... sorry to break it to ya, pal.
@@meganmcgowan5798 Okay Karen
Thanks very much! A previous owner of our home planted a half-dozen big crape myrtles along the back property line and they grow up into the power lines running overhead, so it's not a question of whether to prune, it's a question of whether we handle it or the utilities people do. This year, what with COVID-related economic issues, we can't afford to hire a pro, so we're tackling the job ourselves. I really appreciate the info and your attention to detail. Wish me luck! :)
You are welcome. This method will keep them out of the power lines!
Pease don't! The clue is POWER LINES. Unless you are stupid, and need removal from the gene pool.
We have one in the front yard (San Antonio, TX) and it tolerates direct sunlight well. I stumbled on your video because I am wanting to propagate from it. I just think that three is better than one. Thank you for your video. It gave me some good ideas for working with our plant.
What are you talking about it “tolerates sunlight well”? It NEEDS full sun
That looks good. Im about to trim 9 of them and needed to see how this is done. Thank you.
Glad I could help
lot of techniques out there, I like this guy's best and is the one I use. I have one huge crepe in my back yard and it turns out gorgeous
lyne eisenhardt Thank you! I’m glad you like it also.
Good video! I see you taking some heat in the comments but I do mine the same way. Crepe Myrtle pruning is like growing a bonsai tree. Make your tree your work of art. Good video!
fitnesschallenge1000 Yes. I do get some heat. I remove the inappropriate or rude ones but leave the ones who are helpful or provide constructive criticism. Arborist will day you should never tip a crape but also agree that if the tree is planted in the wrong area, topping is better than removing the tree all together.
This is exactly the information I was looking for. I knew this was possible!
I live in a planned development here in NE Florida and along our main boulevard the developer planted crepe myrtles all along the length of the road, but kinda close to each other. Every late winter maintenance workers prune the trees this way and every year the trees are just as beautiful as the year before. The blooms are still spectacular and they look absolutely gorgeous. So I don't understand some of the rage about this video's pruning method. Crepe Myrtles seem to be more resilient than others give them credit for.
Ariel Sarino I 100% agree with you.
I'm so glad you said this too Ariel Sarino. I see the same. I think there are different species of CMs that need individualized care. I think this method is right for his species and location. I have several that he mentioned that look like huge fountains and they don't flower like the ones along the road - which are already flowering down here.
Clarence Bell Thank you Clarence.
@@TightWadDIY YW. Just saw the follow-up video. They're beautiful! Nice job. Thanks for sharing your work.
This is called crepe murder. they're resilient plants, they can regrow even if you do a bad job of pruning. but this looks unnatural and the internodal cuts cause a lot of ugly sucker growth.
We were taught not to lop crepes, but instead prune out suckers and to preserve odd numbers of the main trunks/ branches. Would you mind inserting a photo you these tress in bloom?
There is a follow up video linked in the description.
@@TightWadDIY wow they actually turned out really good!
These past years I prune it down and opposite years I trim off the previous trim.. I try to keep them maintained by trimming once a year depending where they are planted such as near a house or fence... I keep some growing like a tree..I prune one like an umbrella during winter ...
I do the same! I wish these had room to grow naturally.
Thank you for the tutorial. How should we trim the lower growth near the bottom to keep it from coming back?
I prune it as low as possible then use a sucker stopper. amzn.to/3CxUGOl
Thank you for this great video on pruning Crepe Myrtles ! Now I know the proper way to prune my young tree.
Julie Fields You are welcome. If your tree has room to go, I don’t recommend pruning annually. This is primarily used for trees in areas they are too big for.
@@TightWadDIY I have a Natchez White CM that is a little close to the corner of my garage(10 ft). Probably not the right variety for the location(smallish lot) but in order to keep it in check do you recommend the same type of pruning technique? It's not that large now but in time it will be. Good video btw.
@@MSDOGS1976 That is a similar situation to mine. That’s why I use this pruning method. If I didn’t, they would take over my sidewalk and driveway.
If you have a crepe myrtle that is too tall, can you do a more aggressive pruning? We just purchased a house with two crepe myrtles that are close to the house that are just too tall/higher than the eaves… What would happen if we made more significant cuts lower down?
I would cut them as low as you want once they are dormant. I bet they come back beautifully!
I'm glad you made this! I live in Savannah and I have 2 crape myrtles on either side corner of my house - planted by landscapers when I bought brand new 6 yrs ago. These grow like weeds here. I'm sure that people would call this crape murder - but when you have them against a house or in small spaces you have to cut them back. In 6 years mine would be HUGE if I didn't cut them back. They lose their shape and look a mess too tall and become too "leggy" and
"viney" so - love this.
Michele Zink I 100% agree. Home owners can’t help where landscapers planted their trees. We just maintain them with proper pruning so they can continue to thrive and be beautiful!
@@TightWadDIY AMEN - have already been watching several other videos of yours - great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to make these! It's time consuming I'm certain but I am so, so grateful! Subscribed!
Michele Zink That you for the kind words. I appreciate the sub!
Hi! I have found your video to be the best for me since it shows very well how you’re trimming the tree. I have one tree that I have trimmed so far. I could not trim it even across like you did, but every branch has 2 branches approximately 6” sticking up. It is only about 2 years old. I tried to add some pictures, but can’t figure out how to do it.
You’re welcome.
Thanks, I planted my first Myrtle tree and this is very helpful since I'm not good at this. Thanks again.
I just watched some other videos saying not to do this kind of pruning and they called it Crape Murder. What do you think about that? Is there a right and wrong way to prune? The videos I watched was the grumpy gardener and hort tube.
Wilbur Yuen If your trees have room to grow large, you can use their pruning method. If your trees are in an area with limited space, this method is acceptable. Just be sure not to cut to the same location each year. That is the true meaning of crape murder.
There are several cultivars of crape myrtles. If you have limited space use one that grows accordingly. There is no "acceptable" way to top Crape Myrtles. All those branches you are cutting (the ones looking ugly) are the result from topping them in the first place.
This video is wrong ! I worked as a horticulturist at a botanical garden in the south. We had dozens of crepe myrtles of many varieties and we never did this to any of them. They are tough plants and will survive this type of pruning, probably, but they will never have the natural beauty they are capable of.
Not everybody want 20 foot tall and 20 foot wide Crepe Myrtles..And if you don't control them that's the way the tree becomes.
The only reason you would want to do this is if the top has become unruly. The tree will grow 3-5 feet taller in the next year. The problem with commuting crepe murder (like this) repeatedly is that the tree will develop nobs below the canopy that make the trunks look ugly.
Thank you. I’m so afraid to do this. 😢 I live on the Jersey shore and was told to do this late winter early spring; it’s now early spring. So, after reading 3 articles and watching your video, I’m going to give this a try. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I will forward this to my lawn man from Maryland's Eastern Shore
Very helpful TW as we recently moved and now are far enough south for crepe myrtles. The house we bought had a crepe that looked like was given a flat top cut. Now we have many new chutes close to the ground….I guess they need trimmed back?.
I planted a Crape Myrtle last year and did some shaping to it already. It's about 3.5ft tall, however it can mature to 10-12ft.
Can I just keep it at 3-4ft tall by cutting it down a few inches every year?
It’s not easy to keep them that low. The trunks will get large and look odd
Thank you for the info. When a crape myrtle trim ends up being too high over time, is it ok to trim back further and start over in a way and if so what's the best way? Thank you!
Sure.
Thank you for this post. I'm anxiously to give this a try.
I have one in the front yard on the property I just bought. Long Island New York here. From what I have researched I think now is a good time to prune right? Or have I missed the window.
Mine have started new growth already in the south. If yours haven’t, you should be able to prune. If it has room to grow, there is no need to do this dramatic pruning and a thinning could be effective.
Is it too late to trim crap myrtles , it is April 26. Tks
Mansour Ramzey You can prune them anytime but you risk not having them fully bloom this year.
I just go two small ones maybe like 4ft tall can I prun small twigs coming off the sides even though its mid summer??
I have the dwarf crepe myrtles. Mine is more like a hedge. I was using a hedge trimmer on mine & not getting many blooms. I was told to trim them off an extra foot where you want the height to be. The new growth is where your blooms are. Does it hurt them to prune them in early winter to allow more time to heal before the sap starts coming back up?
That should be fine.
My crepe myrtles are different in that they have a tall (6') single trunk and then fan out. Is the pruning procedure the same as for the shorter trees. I also gave several shorter bushes. Do they get trimmed like what your video shows? They are only 2 years old.
You only need to prune them if they don’t have room to reach their natural size in the area they are planted.
Thank you for making this video.
Lol at all the people telling you you're doing it wrong. Seriously people, get over it and deal with it. At least the dude is taking care of his yard. It's actually HIS yard, not yours, so it doesn't really matter if you think he's doing it wrong. If others like the results, fine, if not, fine. Personally I don't really like the cropped look, but I also don't care what dude does with his own property.
Fine. Now change trimming trees to chinese foot binding....
I have 8 and we top them every year equivalent to growth. they look great.
my sister in law has a long drive way lined with these. not sure what species or whatever but my question is they have never been pruned and have grown wild in every which way. can I apply this technique to their initial cut and when should I do it. I was thinking this fall when things have gone dormant. or can I do it this summer?
You can still use this method. These trees were 5 years old and unkept when I moved into the house. This is my 4th year pruning them. Ideally you would prune them in late winter before temps begin to rise. In the south, we prune in late January or early February.
Thank you very much. Can't wait to do it, they look horrible. Lol
Thank you for your time and help! 😎
Thanks for the info, look forward to getting ours under control. Go DAWGS!
bigdawgfan72 You are welcome. GO DAWGS!
I ordered a dwarf Bellinni crepe myrtle and it has not been delivered yet, but i was told it would come in a 4" pot and about 6" or 12". I have no idea on how to pot this up. Getting no help from the grower. I have 2 choices on where to plant it, but because of its size, i don't want to risk killing it. I have in front of my sunny front home a 3' x 3' foot spot where i have been growing Canna's, and i have a 22" diameter container. I prefer to grow it in the ground of the 3' x 3' spot. It is suppose to grow up to about 4 or 5 feet high and wide...so it would be the perfect spot for it. Can i just take it out of the 4" pot and plant it there?
Anthony I don’t know that variety but yes, you should be able to. Crape Myrtles love full sun.
I have a 20 foot Crepe Myrtle for 30 years and never fertilized them....I just don't know how and with what type of fertilize.
This is the best video do I see it ever..
Rather than pruning to contain size, I'm currently removing a dwarf specimen which was planted too close to a flower bed and I am giving it to a neighbor who has the room for it thrive to its full potential. Experts I follow say the correct goals when pruning reachable specimens are light cuts for shape and beauty, removal of dead/non-thriving branches and suckers, and removal of scraping or rubbing branches. Otherwise this form of polite crape murder seen in this video leads to spindly, leggy branch growth and negative impact over time.
Can you advise me what to do please ? My crepe myrtles are flowering beautifully here in Sydney Australia. But the blooms are weighing down some of the branches and I’m wondering if I should give lighter prune early ???
Paula Rudevics Mine usually only have that problem when it rains. The full blooms hold too much water and some of the branches break. I don’t think you should prune them while in bloom. If a branch breaks, just prune it off.
@@TightWadDIY This is exactly why horticulturists advise against this kind of pruning. The trees become too weak at the top to handle the size and weight of the blooms. The pruning you are doing is also leaving the trees susceptible to rot, and disease. They also have the "knotty" look from all the cuts, which detracts from the natural beauty of a Crape Myrtle. It's fine if you choose to do this, as they are your trees. But to post an instructional video and title it "How to Properly Prune", when you are in fact teaching something that is the exact opposite of what professionals (horticulturists, arborists, and basically anyone who has actually studied the science of growing trees) recommend, it's pretty irresponsible. From reading the comments being left, it sounds like some people are assuming that you are a professional, or at least that you know what you are doing. You are doing a disservice to the public,
I have a Crepe Myrtle in mid Fl. It has 2 types of lichens on it. Will pruning it help get rid of them or is there another option? Thanks.
You can wet the trunks and scrub them off with a wire brush. A healthy myrtle is more lichen resistant. Try fertilizing twice a year for young trees and once a year for more mature trees.
Thank you for the video. We just moved to Georgia and have two of these. Is it too late for me to prune? I'm not sure if I should just leave it until next year. Thanks
Susan Mangina You can do a less aggressive pruning now. If they are simply too large for the are they are planted in, you can still prune using this method to get them under control. They should still bloom this year.
Prune before leaves come out
Just bought two of these - live in Las Vegas, Nevada - goal is to have them canopy - when and how should I prune them for the canopy look?
Prune them with this same method. Prune them near the end of winter when they are completely dormant.
Do not do this is you prefer the correct natural canopy growth of a Crape Myrtle. Search UA-cam for proper ways to prune and follow the advice of any of the local Ag extensions from university horticulture programs. They say do not do it this way.
+wolfpackfan94 Crape Myrtle trees do not naturally form what I would consider a canopy. Arborists do show a different method for pruning these trees to prevent disease and increase longevity. While more natural, it does not promote the visual aesthetics many home owners prefer.
I recorded this video today to show you how mine look mid summer after the February pruning. ua-cam.com/video/vJrX765Tajg/v-deo.html
Thanks for showing the finished product. Great video. (Even if you do have a Georgia bull dogs sticker. (from UT Austin))
You are welcome...I guess. Go Dawgs!
Great job. . and that's NOT crepe murder.. you've pruned ABOVE last year's cut not only producing a nice looking, strong canopy but you get bigger fuller bloom heads.
Some folks think it's a sin to prune the canopy of a crepe myrtle but it really depends on the shape and size you're going for.. Crepe Myrtles are trees but they don't have the slow growth habits of an oak or maple etc..
Crepe murder is pruning back to the same spot every year. This produces a big knot of scar tissue and weak branches that break easily.. (please don't lol)
But to maximize the bloom potential and achieve a more formal shape of tree, I prune crepes exactly as you have demonstrated... and i also am a landscape professional. Pruning technique is an art form which requires knowledge of a particular plants growth and bloom habits manipulating them into an astheticall piece of art..
Tell a bonsai artist they're "doing it wrong" lol Achieving a desired result is never wrong.
Thank you for taking the time to post! I’m glad you also enjoy well pruned shrubs and trees.
@@TightWadDIY I wouldn't be in business very long if i didnt produce good results. .
But it's homeowners like you who put me out if business LOL
What if the client didnt get them trimmed the year before? Do I still leave the shoot 6 to 8 inches?
Calikusher Tc I would ask them what look they are going for.
It's suppose to b 2-4 inch cuts
Hey there I was wondering if I can I email you pictures and videos of my crape myrtel, I want to give it the tree shape but not sure if j got the Bush kind or tree , or all they all trees with the proper pruning)? Thanks!
Can we get a part 2 after the growth has come in?
Sure! I checked last night ask I have some leaves starting to come out. I will make a video in a few weeks.
+TightWadRepairs Does it bloom in August? Some older trees seem to bloom earlier. I planted mine last May and it bloomed mid august.
+Mad Season Staley These trees are about 7 years old. I've pruned them this way for the past 5 years and they begin blooming in about May and bloom all the way through the fall. I live in Georgia so your geographical location will determine when and how long yours bloom. I would expect your trees to bloom earlier than August year year. They were likely in shock from the transplant and focused on root development instead of blooms.
+TightWadRepairs Thanks a lot. I am in NY. Id like to see them bloom earlier to enjoy it. Hopefully I dont crape murder it.
I imagine NY will have a much shorter blooming period due to the shorter warm season. They will recover from what people call crape murder. It just takes longer and is not good for the tree.
We just recently bought a house and have very large crape myrtles across the front of our home that have been neglected for several years. They have grown very tall probably 12 to 14 ft high when and how short should I cut them. I have always kept mine like yours.
You can prune them like this in winter.
If that is how you like your crepes, don't let anyone tell you different.
Safetymanzero Well said. Thanks.
@@TightWadDIY This would be true if the title of the video was "How I like to Prune Crape Myrtles" instead of "How to Properly Prune". You're putting out bad information.
Thank you! Great video! 👍🏻👏🏻
You are welcome. I hope it works for you as well.
This is an excellent instructional video--thank you. I live in Manassas, Virginia. Should I be pruning the crepe myrtles in mid-March?
Once you are sure they are dormant it shouldn't matter. Mid March sounds good to me though!
I live on Eastern Shore of MD. Can I prune my crepe myrtle now ?
Very helpful tips! Thank you.
Binh Minh Pham You are welcome. Be sure to subscribe!
What if you have much taller trees?
Just read that these branches are supposed to be amazing for discouraging/eliminating fleas. Supposedly you just lay branches around areas of the house where you want to get rid of them, and they go elsewhere bc they hate being near it. The woman who used this method was a master gardener with "two green hands" according to her daughter, and knew her stuff-looking forward to trying this if I can just find some crape myrtle in the Asheville NC area. Maybe put some under my bed or around my dog's bedding and see what happens, I'm experimenting w natural methods bc Frontline etc is just too toxic to put into a dog's bloodstream IMO. Thought I'd pass that on for anybody who's dealing with fleas, and since you have to treat the dog, house, and yard sometimes, scattering some crape myrtle branches around your yard would probably help.
bookguitarguy Interesting. Let us know how it goes.
bookguitarguy so did the branches keep the fleas away?
@@1982MCI sounds a b.s.
This is my first time tuning in and I must say I was quite offended by being called a tight wad 🙊
Dannie Giirl Next time, hold your head high and say thank you! You are doing it yourself and saving money! Money that can be used elsewhere to better your life. My UA-cam channel is called TightWadRepairs. There is a movement called tightwadnation started by financial advisors from The Money Guy Show. You should check them out. Please don't be offended, it is meant as a compliment.
TightWadRepairs I intend to. Thank you!!!
Hi, I just stumbled across your channel, and I was wondering what variety of crape myrtle this is? I just planted a shrubby one, and want one that won't get too tall, and would be easy to train into a tree. Thanks for sharing your technique! And thanks for insisting on the safety glasses. I'm in the medical profession and see way too many injuries that are preventable.
Melanie Wallace I did not personally plant these trees so I'm not sure the name of the variety. I would recommend calling a local nursery to ask them what type of crêpe myrtle will do well in your area and has the size requirements that you need.
Crape myrtles ARE shrubs. They are simply pruned and cultivated to form the tree shape. But if you buzzed a crape myrtle back to the ground and allowed it to regrow on its own, it would form a medium to large shrub. Some species and varieties "tree up" more readily than others, and some go more bushy by nature, but they are all technically considered to be shrubs. Perhaps the variety that you have is just one that prefers to be a shrub. If you want one with a more tree-like habit, there are several that have "Native American" names... such as 'Miami', which is one of my favorites. It bears deep pink blooms and a darker brownish bark, and it tends to grow fairly upright. But they can also get quite tall, to 25 feet or even more. 'Tuscarora' is a bit shorter, typically getting to about 15 feet, with coral pink flowers and leaves that take on a beautiful red color in the fall. It tends to be a bit shrubbier, but it can be maintained as a tree. 'Natchez' is a tall variety, but it has a dwarf version as well! This one has white blooms and a nice shape. There are many semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties available... this is a pretty good list, from 'Southern Living' magazine: www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/choose-a-smaller-crepe-myrtle
It should have the name/color and height it will grow on the nursery tag. They come in dwarf sizes 2-5 feet, medium tree is 10-15 and large trees can grow 25-30 feet tall. Many colors and growth patterns too. We just planted 65 white Acoma and red Tontos on our 9 acres, both are meduim size.
Originally how many trees did you plant?
alicia root These were installed by the builder but there are three trees.
What about the bushes in the background when do you cut those?
River Front You can prune most evergreen shrubs anytime throughout spring and summer. You just don't want to prune them anytime a month before the expected first frost in the fall. I typically prune mine 2-3 times a year as needed.
Good video. Pity you didn't show the result after blooming. Why do you cut at an angle?
D Lewis I appreciate it. I did actually record a follow up video. I should have linked it in the video! Click this link to see it. ua-cam.com/video/vJrX765Tajg/v-deo.html
Brilliant... thanks mate... why do you cut the branches at an angle?
Dave
Australia
D Lewis I honestly am not sure about the science behind it but most arborist recommend pruning woody trees and shrubs at an angle.
TightWadRepairs no worries mate... Great video. Helped me lots (except it's 42C here and hot as shit) so I won't be outside pruning for a while ;)
You cut at an angle to help rainwater fall off the cut surface, preventing disease.
The branches are close to the color of the brick house. There are lines going everywhere. Hard to see.
Laurie Rose Jones Sorry. This is one of my earlier videos before I had a decent camera and tripod. I made sure to explain what I was doing in each step incase you couldn’t see.
I am late to the party but would like to know what would do charge to do that much cutting. 4 trees I think. Thanks
Thank you!
You're welcome!
What about a brand new tree?
That’s the plan when these get too large to manage. I’m
New to this thanks for the video. One question can I use a chain saw to trim it?
julio guerra You could but I think you get much cleaner cuts with pruning shears or lopers. It is best to prune with a sharp single blade cutter.
thanks for the video. great to the point.
James Arbona You are welcome, James. Be sure to subscribe so you can see when I post other helpful videos.
If you watch a few crepe myrtle videos you will see that there is no agreement on how to prune: trained arborists do it one way, homeowners another ... Homeowners care what the neighbors think. Arborists are concerned with the health of the tree.
kayumochi I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is the preferred look for most home owners. If it killed the trees, there would be very few Crape Myrtles left.
Heck boy, you're from GA, Safety glasses? lol
William Dixon Haha. They are needed for these trees. Tons of tiny pieces fall off.
Thank you , good job!!!
silvia gaxiola You are welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful.
My Myrtles are cut in the same spot every year, which is 6 feet tall. I cut off the new growth. Until I get the base of the tree bigger then I will concentrate on growing it taller :)
I just did this and it’s summer. I hope it doesn’t die. 😩😭
It won’t die. They just won’t bloom until really late if they bloom at all!
They had some pepole that cut them back in the middle of summer...ugh
Thank you
Myra Camilo My pleasure!
Idk how to time bush and trees🤷🏽♂️
Philip Hernandez I have another video showing how to prune shrubs!
@@TightWadDIY ok👍🏼
Philip Hernandez Here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/OayVNl9X9Ps/v-deo.html
thanks
Shot too far I can’t see what u are cutting
jarroyomaranata Sorry
Other videos online refer to this method as Crepe Murder!!
This method is for trees that would naturally grow too large for their current area. It’s a controlled pruning which yes some call Crape Murder for shock value. I know of trees pruned this way for over 20 years that are still thriving so it’s a poorly radicalized name for pruning.
Topping these is not the best way…
That's ridiculous, I don't trim mine and it flowers beautifully every year, that's why yours looks straggly every year, you need a lesson on how to prune
😂😂 Thanks pal! You should check the follow up video showing how beautiful they bloom. This is meant to control their growth. Mine aren’t planted in a good location.
Do not follow this guy's advice! He's doing it wrong!
I would be pissed if someone butchered my trees like this
Well I doubt you have to worry about that since they are yours.
Safety glasses lol
I wouldn't recommend this but if you want to keep it small even that I wouldn't recommend it gust git a small coltuvaer
Gordin Freman Getting a small cultivar isn’t an option if you aren’t the one planting the tree. I don’t suggest removing a tree if you can prune it to an appropriate size and it still blooms heartily. IF it dies, which would take years and years, then replace it with a smaller cultivar.
oh oh-crape murder.
Little too aggressive for my taste
Please update to the correct spelling. It’s Crepe
I disagree.
This is known as Crape Murder. Topping of any tree is never necessary, it's just lazy pruning.
O
sorry, but I was told by a reputable plant nursery (and others) that cutting the crape myrtles this way is crape 'murder'
B G808 I actually found this method on a reputable nursery’s website. It’s acceptable for pruning crapes in an area not large enough for their natural growth structure. I’ve been pruning crapes this way for over 20 year and not has a single one has died from being “murdered”. They still bloom like they are young.
Looks terrible
There is a follow up video so you can see the regrowth. It’s linked in the description.
That is how NOT to prune a crepe Myrtle
That is "Crepe Murder." You fiend!!!
That's not how you prune trees. You murdered them
Yet they are still alive and beautiful!
@@TightWadDIY this type of pruning is not beautiful and actually shortens their live span
Do not prune your crepe myrtle like this! Wrong way to do it man.
Show me another method that can be used to prune a tree when the natural growth pattern is too large for the area it was planted.
@@TightWadDIY You have plenty of room there. You can thin it out so you'll have dappled shade, or can see right through the tree: ua-cam.com/video/MpeweeUhLZQ/v-deo.html
@@SGspecial84 I have to disagree. This variety doesn’t grow straight up. They quickly take over the driveway and sidewalk.
@@SGspecial84 The tree in that video didn’t need much pruning at all because it had plenty of room to grow.
@@TightWadDIY Then you planted the wrong tree dude. Rip it out unless you like looking at a mutant tree 7 - 8 months out of the year when it doesn't have foliage. I'm pretty sure your neighbors don't like to stare at that thing. You've heard the term crepe murder, right?
There is nothing proper about what you did to that tree. Crape Myrtles have the most stunning natural structure, why would you do this??
Julie Frymoyer The area they are planted in does not provide room for their natural shape. If topping is required, this is the proper way to do so.
Those trees are not meant to be planted in that tiny area. Put a chainsaw to them.
Damage, Inc. Heck no! They are beautiful! I wouldn’t have planted them here either but this type of pruning allows them to stay here.
@@TightWadDIY The roots are going to buckle and crack all that concrete. It will never stop till the trees are gone.
Damage, Inc. I appreciate the concern. They are 14 years old and have been fine so far.
Seriously? I can’t SEE what you are pointing at! Useless. Next.
You are wrong! ! Crape murder
Peggy Cornute Haha. Move along unless you plan to contribute to the conversation.
i planted a CM last year and its 3/31 and my CM looks completely dead. branches just look dry and snap off. is it dead or still dormant?
Raccoon Eyes I hope it’s still dormant. Depends on where you live and what the weather has been like. I live in Georgia and mine is just now showing signs of life in the past 3-4 days.