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.

I never even fertilize my "myrtle." I just give her one pruning a year, and she rewards me — and the neighborhood — with gorgeous blooms all summer. In short, crepe myrtles are low-maintenance trees.

Q. Our crape myrtle trees are about 10 feet tall. How much should be trimmed off the trees and when? A. Save yourself some time and keep these crape myrtles attractive by skipping major pruning.

If you have an 8-foot tall money tree that you want to prune to a 4-foot tree, it's best to prune it slowly over several seasons. Prune it in half, and the money tree may not survive.

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.

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.

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.

Compare the Crepe Myrtle Bush and the Crepe Myrtle Tree. Exploring the Blooming Season of Crepe Myrtles and Its Beauty Crepe myrtles have paper-thin leaves that resemble crepes. ©Noel V.

Crape myrtle pruning weakens the plant, making it more susceptible to disease and insect infestations. If the tree is correctly placed and can grow to its mature size, let it grow.