Before pruning a crape myrtle, first decide if it needs to be pruned at all. As with any pruning project, you must have a specific, valid purpose in mind before you begin.

This falls under the term “crape murder.” The trend in pruning crape myrtles is to “lop off the tops.” The result is a tree that appears like an upside down broom.

If you're planning to prune the crape myrtle in your yard, ... Best Father’s Day gifts under $50; Prime Day 2025. Best Amazon ... blooms on pruned trees were larger than blooms on un-pruned trees.

A poorly pruned crepe myrtle tree can turn into an eyesore with twiggy growth and a lack of flowers. Follow this guide to keep your tree in tip-top shape.

How to prune crape myrtle is always a popular subject whenever I make a presentation about pruning trees. The discussion always centers around how far back you should prune them.

Second, you should remember that trees are living things and when we prune them, we are intentionally wounding them. This sets up a response in the tree to try and minimize the damage.

You’ve probably seen crape myrtle trees pruned to look like a coat rack. Hopefully, you’re not guilty of doing this. The term “crape murder” was coined to describe this drastic topping of ...

To prune a crape myrtle properly, first decide if it needs to be pruned. As with any pruning project, you must have a specific, valid purpose in mind before you begin.