how to properly trim a crepe myrtle tree
Trimming Tools Appropriate tools for pruning a Crape Myrtle include hand pruners for twigs and small branches loppers for medium-thick branches and pole pruners for the. Your best option is to do several thinning cuts.
Training Crape Myrtles Myrtle Tree Landscaping Trees Crepe Myrtle Trees
Loppers for branches 12 to 1 12-inches thick.
. Prune out branches that cross each other and rub together. Consequences of Severe Pruning. If youd like help with your Citrus County Crape Mrytle trimming in the future call us at 352 220.
While the plant is young it is acceptable to prune the top of the branches. Be careful not to cut into the trunk when making the cuts. Crape myrtles must be properly pruned on an annual basis in order to achieve the following benefits.
To properly prune a mature crepe myrtle you need three tools. Its best to work your way up when pruning a crape myrtle. Prune suckers and any trunks that need to go as close as possible to the main trunk or soil.
For overgrown crepe myrtle pruning you need to spread it over a few growing seasons. This video shows the proper way to prune a Crape Myrtle tree that was wrongfully planted in a place not allowing for a natural growth pattern. Here are the highlights of pruning an overgrown crepe myrtle tree.
Formal Style With a formal style when you prune crepe myrtle trees you are pruning for outward shape rather than inner openness. Carefully dig around your Crepe Myrtles root system then use a sharp clean garden knife to cut pieces of root between two and four inches long. If you cant reach the cuts you want to make use a pole pruner.
Try to prune later in winter February is ideal. If youre making an arch with two or more trees prune out the branches that detract from the arch. - Increased health and vitality - Enhanced beauty - Cont.
Loppers to cut branches 12-inch to 1-12 inches thick 3. Gradually cut off all side branches from the main base as the tree gets taller. What is the proper way to prune it.
That means taking out an entire branch all the way to the base rather than simply shortening it. Here at Citruscapes Lawn Landscaping we practice healthy crape mrytle pruning to promote healthy growth of the tree. Using a pair of sharp bypass or lopper pruners make a cut about 6 to 12 inches or so above the intersection - never below the intersection.
It isnt to greatly reduce its size. As these trunks mature remove lower lateral branches aka limbing-up to one-third or halfway up the height of the plant. With a natural style of pruning crepe myrtle trees main branches will be left alone to promote thick sturdy trunks.
To properly prune crapemyrtles use the following techniques. Remove crossed damaged or diseased branches. You want all of your branching to occur on the top quarter of the tree.
When it gets older this is unacceptable. The first step is to understand the purpose of pruning a crepe myrtle. Certainly in older varieties of crepe myrtle the tree should have its branches thinned out to ensure good airflow to prevent disease.
This is to keep the tree healthy and good-looking. Put the chainsaw away and only use hand shears loppers and a hand saw. For crossed branches remove the weaker of the two limbs that are crossing or rubbing.
You mainly prune crepe myrtles to shape them up or create breathing space in the middle of the plant. If you only shorten branches they will vigorously re-sprout in spring and the tree will resume growing in ways you dont want. Hand pruners to clip twigs and branches less than 12-inch thick.
However most modern cultivars of crepe myrtle are disease resistant and so this is not an issue and the thinning out of twigs is no longer recommended as essential. Alternatively when deciding where to make your cuts you can grab the tip of stem and bend it over making your cut right at the point where the stem startsto bend. Pole pruners or a pruning saw to cut branches more than 1-12 inches thick.
Make cuts to a side branch or close to the trunk. With proper pruning any of our beautiful sizes and varieties can become a single stem plant. Prune out dead branches.
Never leave lone or clustered stubs. What to Prune Over time prune out thin spindly branches in the crown of the tree. By removing limbs that go.
Some crape myrtles bloom on new growth so be sure to check what variety you have and its flowering habits. Remove Crossing or Rubbing Branches. Also trim any new growth that appears on the stem that may turn into a branch.
The difference lies in when the pruning should be done. A properly pruned crape myrtle is a happy and beautiful crape myrtle. SEE FOLLOW UP.
Simply remove any extra stems protruding from the ground. If there are any small branches or growth on the trunk or root area of the tree such as suckers you can either cut or break them off by hand if they are small enough. It is a gradual process.
See the image below for a more proper and healthy way to trim your crape myrtles in Citrus County. If you need to prune your crapemyrtle tree or shrub thinning branches to limb up the crapemyrtle is the correct method. Cut off suckers from the bottom rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inward.
Remove branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other as well as shoots growing into the center of the canopy. This includes any suckers. The next step is to use the right pruning tools.
Growing a Crepe Myrtle from root tissue is a great way to multiply your garden without taking cuttings from the tree body itself. The pruning process can be spread out over a three-year period. Head back wayward and unbranched limbs.
Remove lower limbs that are thinner than a pencil diameter. Smaller inside branches may also be removed to open up the space inside the tree. Remove suckers small sprouts that can develop along main stems or roots.
Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they get too thick thickness of a pencil. If your crepe myrtle does seem to be getting too densely. Pruning saw or pole pruner for branches thicker than 1 12 inches.
When youre ready to go heres the order in which youll judiciously shape your tree. Proper Pruning Techniques. Pruning is the perfect time to fix tree issues.
Crapemyrtle Pruning Walter Reeves The Georgia Gardener Crape Myrtle Garden Shrubs Myrtle Tree
Pin By Mary Andrews On Garden Front Yards Diy Front Yard Landscaping Diy Backyard Landscaping
Proper Pruning Of Crape Myrtles Myrtle Tree When To Prune Azaleas Pruning Crepe Myrtles
Nice Diagram Of Crepe Myrtle Pruning Myrtle Tree Crepe Myrtle Landscaping Pruning Crepe Myrtles
Crapemyrtle Pruning Walter Reeves The Georgia Gardener Crepe Myrtle Trees Crape Myrtle Georgia Gardening
Pin By Diana James On Gardening Crape Myrtle Myrtle Myrtle Tree
Follow Proper Pruning Techniques Earth Kind Landscaping Myrtle Tree Landscaping Trees Crepe Myrtle Trees
Crepe Myrtle Pruning Step By Step In 2020 Pruning Crepe Myrtles Crape Myrtle Crepe Myrtle
Pin On Watch It Grow