Nothing quite says summer in the southern states of the US like a crape myrtle tree in full bloom with its soft pink flower petals turned up toward the sky. Typically they grow so well and their blooms last so long that many people tend to them lovingly like they would a member of their family. That is except for when it comes time to prune them in the late fall.
Oddly people are often clueless about the various damages they can do by cutting them back to nearly nothing. This often will leave bush like ugly stumps where there once lived a majestic tree. Generally this can cause any growth to be stunted and can cause them to gain a sickly unnatural bush like appearance.
Just as there is a best time for pruning them there is also a best method to prune them. Often people can cut them back to severely believing this can help produce more flowering limbs the following year. In reality this typically creates delayed flowering, shorter blooming times and weaker branches. Doing this is often as unnecessary as it is harmful for most shrubbery.
Generally 2-3 months before spring or late winter or is the correct time to start pruning your trees. The best way is to try visually enhance the natural form not trying to make it into unnatural forms and shapes. In a correctly pruned shrubbery, the limbs grow up and to the outside rather than branching to the center
Look over the plant and follow the path its trunk and branches take. Try to focus on the inside rather than the outside. Any limbs you find that cross over other limbs in its interior should be cut out or back. You should also try removing limbs that grow in the incorrect directions or are twisted to some strange or unnatural form.
To remove a limb, follow it back to where it joins to a larger branch or to the trunk. If you look where the two parts meet, you will see an enlarged area called the branch collar. Always prune a minimum of 2 to 3 inches beyond this point, rather than flush with the branch or trunk. In time this outer part of the tree will grow beyond this stub almost as if it was never there.
If you have never pruned your tree or if it has been a long time, you may have to remove many limbs. Do not let this scare you. Remember to always try to preserve the natural shape and not cut it down. Trunks can be removed close to the ground, but this often causes suckers to shoot up in the summer months.
Always try to cut smooth and straight. If a limb breaks or cracks before you are finished cutting it make sure to treat it with a good sealant. A crape myrtle tree is venerable to rotting and insects at this point. When pruning, less is always better to cut off than more. Some plants can take a long time to grow back.
Oddly people are often clueless about the various damages they can do by cutting them back to nearly nothing. This often will leave bush like ugly stumps where there once lived a majestic tree. Generally this can cause any growth to be stunted and can cause them to gain a sickly unnatural bush like appearance.
Just as there is a best time for pruning them there is also a best method to prune them. Often people can cut them back to severely believing this can help produce more flowering limbs the following year. In reality this typically creates delayed flowering, shorter blooming times and weaker branches. Doing this is often as unnecessary as it is harmful for most shrubbery.
Generally 2-3 months before spring or late winter or is the correct time to start pruning your trees. The best way is to try visually enhance the natural form not trying to make it into unnatural forms and shapes. In a correctly pruned shrubbery, the limbs grow up and to the outside rather than branching to the center
Look over the plant and follow the path its trunk and branches take. Try to focus on the inside rather than the outside. Any limbs you find that cross over other limbs in its interior should be cut out or back. You should also try removing limbs that grow in the incorrect directions or are twisted to some strange or unnatural form.
To remove a limb, follow it back to where it joins to a larger branch or to the trunk. If you look where the two parts meet, you will see an enlarged area called the branch collar. Always prune a minimum of 2 to 3 inches beyond this point, rather than flush with the branch or trunk. In time this outer part of the tree will grow beyond this stub almost as if it was never there.
If you have never pruned your tree or if it has been a long time, you may have to remove many limbs. Do not let this scare you. Remember to always try to preserve the natural shape and not cut it down. Trunks can be removed close to the ground, but this often causes suckers to shoot up in the summer months.
Always try to cut smooth and straight. If a limb breaks or cracks before you are finished cutting it make sure to treat it with a good sealant. A crape myrtle tree is venerable to rotting and insects at this point. When pruning, less is always better to cut off than more. Some plants can take a long time to grow back.
About the Author:
If you would like to own a crape myrtle tree, check out www.crapemyrtlefarms.com. For low prices on these beautiful trees, visit Crape Myrtle Farms today at http://www.crapemyrtlefarms.com.
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