Crepe Murder...don't be a victim (oh no!).
By Rita LeBleu - American Press - Lake Charles, LA - 19 Feb 17
Q. Is it too late to trim crepe myrtle trees
A. No. Late winter is the best time, according to Joshua Keith, Greengate Garden
Center. “Now, when the plant is dormant and without leaves, it’s easier to see the structure, ”Keith said. “Trim any branches that don’t open up to give the structure the look desired.”
This can include removing suckers. Removing any branches growing from the main trunk which are a certain height or shorter. Branches growing toward center of tree, rubbing, crossing, dead and branches at awkward angles should be cut [many here in the South hardly never prune their myrtles...the older the tree gets...the less pruning it will need].
'Pollarding' is a practice that began in Europe during the middle ages. New growth is cut from the tree each winter. The result is that knots form at the end of the pollarded branches, and in the spring, numerous stems grow from each knot (see image below).
Pollarding originated as a method of creating kindling and animal fodder.
Later it became a method of keeping flowering trees from outgrowing their space in formal gardens. Inexperienced pruners may accidentally pollard their crepe myrtles in a misguided attempt to stimulate the tree to produce more flowers. In truth, this method of pruning reduces the number and size of the flower clusters, destroying the natural shape of the tree.
Crepe myrtle knot trimming doesn’t help it recover. Incorrectly pruning crepe myrtles is often referred to
'crepe murder'".
Works Cited: American Press - Home Section - Lake Charles, LA.
"Every Crepe Myrtle tree is waiting for spring to blossom and bask in the sunset". CBJ
By Rita LeBleu - American Press - Lake Charles, LA - 19 Feb 17
Q. Is it too late to trim crepe myrtle trees
A. No. Late winter is the best time, according to Joshua Keith, Greengate Garden
Center. “Now, when the plant is dormant and without leaves, it’s easier to see the structure, ”Keith said. “Trim any branches that don’t open up to give the structure the look desired.”
This can include removing suckers. Removing any branches growing from the main trunk which are a certain height or shorter. Branches growing toward center of tree, rubbing, crossing, dead and branches at awkward angles should be cut [many here in the South hardly never prune their myrtles...the older the tree gets...the less pruning it will need].
'Pollarding' is a practice that began in Europe during the middle ages. New growth is cut from the tree each winter. The result is that knots form at the end of the pollarded branches, and in the spring, numerous stems grow from each knot (see image below).
Pollarding originated as a method of creating kindling and animal fodder.
Later it became a method of keeping flowering trees from outgrowing their space in formal gardens. Inexperienced pruners may accidentally pollard their crepe myrtles in a misguided attempt to stimulate the tree to produce more flowers. In truth, this method of pruning reduces the number and size of the flower clusters, destroying the natural shape of the tree.
Crepe myrtle knot trimming doesn’t help it recover. Incorrectly pruning crepe myrtles is often referred to
'crepe murder'".
Works Cited: American Press - Home Section - Lake Charles, LA.
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