Pruning Very Large Overgrown Crape Myrtle?
Filed Under: Pruning · Keywords: Pruning, Large, Overgrown, Crape Myrtle · 698 Views
I have a very tall overgrown crape myrtle that stands too close to the house and has reached a height of about 20 ft. It has rarely bloomed and I believe I have over pruned it. If I cut it back to half its height it will be all branch without offshoots. I need to do something drastic here and am concerned this pruning may kill it. can you advise?
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3 Answers
Answer #1 · Brent Wilson's Answer · Hi Yvonne - If you pruned your 20 foot tall crape myrtle halfway back this should not kill it. A crape myrtle can be cut all the way back to a stump and will still reemerge, sending out new shoots. That being said, if you pruned it during summer this might do some serious damage to the tree. I'm not sure though because I have never done heavy pruning on a crape myrtle during summer. Any heavy pruning on crape myrtle should be done in late winter, while the tree is in dormancy.
So, if you've already cut the crape myrtle back, you'll need to wait until late next winter to do any more pruning. Rather than go into detail here I'll provide a link to an article that provides tips for standard pruning and for corrective pruning, which is necessary when a crape myrtle has been cut back too far.
www.gardenality.com/Articles/344/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-A-Crape-Myrtle/default.html
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions,
Brent)
So, if you've already cut the crape myrtle back, you'll need to wait until late next winter to do any more pruning. Rather than go into detail here I'll provide a link to an article that provides tips for standard pruning and for corrective pruning, which is necessary when a crape myrtle has been cut back too far.
www.gardenality.com/Articles/344/How-To-Info/Pruning/How-To-Prune-A-Crape-Myrtle/default.html
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions,
Brent)
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Answer #3 · Yvonne Zuckerman's Answer · Thank you for your advice. I appreciate the help. I live in Maryland so I will prune in February. Thanks again.)
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Answer #2 · Brooks Wilson's Answer · Hi Yvonne,
If you do prune the Crape Myrtle now, or have just pruned it way back, make sure to apply pruning sealer to any of the major cuts. This will seal up these open areas and prevent insects and disease. Pruning sealer should be available at your local independent nursery.
Brooks))
If you do prune the Crape Myrtle now, or have just pruned it way back, make sure to apply pruning sealer to any of the major cuts. This will seal up these open areas and prevent insects and disease. Pruning sealer should be available at your local independent nursery.
Brooks))
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Copyright © 2008-2013 WYW Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Gardenality does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Information entered by Gardenality members is not endorsed by Gardenality.com or WYW Group LLC.
Never use any information from Gardenality to diagnose or treat any medical problem.
All information is provided by members and has not been validated or approved for use anywhere.
No text or images on this web site may be used without direct written permission from WYW Group, LLC. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Code of Conduct | Credits
Gardenality.com was designed and developed by web development firm, Dot Designers.
Gardenality's founders are proud servants of Jesus and our heart's greatest desire is to live for His everlasting renown.