In the summer, crepe myrtles produce large flowers.They are distinguished by their multiple trunks.They do well in the south.Crepe myrtles bloom from new growth, so they perform best with light.The following steps will show you how to trim your crepe myrtle.
Step 1: Pruning equipment should be gathered.
You're going to need different types of tools for crepe myrtle trimming.Before you start, you should get a hand Pruner from your garage or hardware store.The plipers are used to cut branches that are higher up.Pole pruners are used to cut thicker branches.You need a saw to cut the thickest branches.
Step 2: Prune in the late winter or early spring.
Crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, so it is best to fertilize them in the late winter or early spring just before they come out of dormancy and send out new leaves and branches.Pruning in the fall can remove the year's new growth as a buffer against winter damage.If you leave enough time in the growing season, crepe myrtles will grow flower buds on new growth.It is safe to peck your plant if leaves haven't yet appeared.Pruning can be done late or even later than May.Pruning this late will probably delay your bloom time.If youPruning before leaves sprout on the tree you get a clearer view of which branches to cut.It is possible to remove flowers when they fade in the summer to encourage a second bloom.
Step 3: Determine the size and shape of the crepe myrtle.
To keep a crepe myrtle healthy and beautiful, you want to open up the middle of the tree to allow air to flow through more easily.Don't lopping the trunks close to the ground.You can change the shape and size of your crepe myrtle if you want.Crepe myrtles can grow up to 2 feet (30-40 cm) per season.If you want your tree to be about 6 feet tall, you will want to trim it back to 4 to 5 feet.New growth will come from the areas that have been trimmed.
Step 4: Take a look at how the crepe myrtle is growing.
The method above can produce a lot of blooms, but it comes at the expense of the tree's shape.Crepe myrtles will repair any place where a branch has been removed.If you leave behind anything, it will grow larger in both circumference and length each year.If you look at images of crepe myrtles from a hundred years ago, you'll see how beautiful the tree looked when it was trimmed more gently.
Step 5: First, cut the small sprout at the bottom of the tree.
These are called suckers.These will give your crepe myrtle a bushy appearance and may compete with your main trunks for resources.The suckers can be pulled out with a hand pruner.To keep growing taller and stronger, leave the large, healthy, thick trunks.
Step 6: Cut the side branches.
Take care of any branches that come out of the trunk's side.This helps the tree retain its shape.Pruning the small limbs from the ground up will give the younger trees the strongest limbs.Smaller branches should be removed from the inside of the tree.
Step 7: Out of the dead and across the branches.
If you want to reach branches that are more than 1/2 inch (12mm) thick, you can use a pole or hand Pruner.If you want to achieve a shape, cut branches that are growing at an angle.
Step 8: Cut branches back to where they are not more than 1/2 inch in diameter.
The branches that are too thin will not be able to bear the weight of the blooms and will droop or break.If you're cutting a branch back to the trunk, make sure to flush it.loppers can be used for the tall branches that are out of reach.It's not necessary to cut off the seeds.It won't affect the bloom.
Step 9: Look at the flower.
Crepe myrtle has a variety of growing patterns that may affect how you want to care for it.If you want to narrow down the type of crepe myrtle you are growing, look at the color of the blossoms.This will not tell you what type of plant you have, but it can help you narrow down your search.There are a number of popular crepe myrtle varieties, including Miami, which has bright pink flowers, and Catawba,which has purple blooms.You may be able to figure out your variety by the length of the bloom.There are crepe myrtle plants that have longer bloom periods than the average plant.
Step 10: The bark color should be checked.
The bark color of your crepe myrtle can help you figure out which variety you have.Bark can range in color from gray to brown.You can determine which crepe myrtle plant you are working with by comparing bark and flower color.The barks of Miami and Osage are chestnut brown.The bark is cinnamon-colored.
Step 11: Evaluate the pattern.
Crepe myrtles can grow in many different ways, and the nature of their growth will affect you.Some varieties grow like small trees, others as small, compact shrubs, and others still grow as broad, spreading shrubs.To determine how you want to care for your crepe myrtle, look at how it grows.As a small shrub, Catawba can grow as a large shrub or small tree.Natchez varieties tend to arch where Miami varieties grow upright.