In the image above, it’s clear that something has gone awry. When you see a heavily pruned crepe myrtle tree (sometimes spelled “crape myrtle”) it might appear as if someone attempted to construct a rustic fence from fallen tree limbs, only to reconsider. Alternatively, it could resemble a scene where a group of Hogwarts students crash-landed while chasing a golden snitch, leaving their brooms embedded in the ground as they hurried to the hospital wing. The incorrectness of this pruning method is evident, and it’s certainly not how one should treat one of the finest ornamental trees.
Instead, listen to Rhonda Kaiser, a Texas master gardener, business owner, and content creator at Southern Home & Farm. With 156,000 followers on her @southernhomeandfarm Instagram page, she’s a gardening expert you can rely on. Onions Australia spoke exclusively with Kaiser about pruning crepe myrtles. “It helps maintain their beautiful, natural shape, encourages strong branches that hold blooms upright, and opens up the canopy to reveal the gorgeous, smooth, multi-toned bark that makes mature trees so stunning,” she explained.
So, what type of “pruning” do crepe myrtles require? The correct method is important. “When deciding how much to prune your crepe myrtle, thinning is the way to go,” Kaiser advised. “Focus on cutting away any extra, damaged, or inward-growing branches to improve airflow and showcase the tree’s beautiful natural shape and smooth, sculptural trunks. Whatever you do, avoid topping the tree (removing the top), as it results in a cluster of weak, spindly branches. This not only detracts from the tree’s beauty but also makes it more susceptible to pests and disease.”
The best time to prune crepe myrtles
Pruning is a gardening activity, an intervention where we assist a plant in adapting to a particular environment or give it an appealing shape. Since pruning a crepe myrtle is partly about shaping the tree and maximizing its summertime blooms, the timing of the pruning is crucial. When Onions Australia spoke exclusively with master gardener Rhonda Kaiser, she emphasized pruning when you can clearly see what you’re doing, ideally near the end of winter. “February is usually the optimal time for this task in most areas, as it allows you to shape the tree before new growth begins,” she noted. “Since crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, pruning during this period won’t reduce flowers — in fact, it can enhance blooming.”
Of course, gardeners can be busy at any time, and late winter can be a hectic season. “If you miss winter pruning, early spring is still a good time and shouldn’t significantly affect summer blooms,” Kaiser added. However, she cautions against delaying the task until late spring, which can postpone flowering. While it’s unlikely anyone would prune in summer, doing so in the fall can leave your crepe myrtle vulnerable to the coldest season. “Pruning in the fall might trigger fresh growth that could be damaged by cold weather,” she explained. Remember, your goal isn’t to halt the tree’s growth but to maintain its tree-like appearance.
How to prune a crepe myrtle
Your timing won’t be nearly as important if you tackle crepe myrtle pruning indiscriminately with a chainsaw. Technique matters. When Onions Australia spoke exclusively with gardening expert Rhonda Kaiser, she recommended gardeners use a few essential tools for DIY landscaping – hand pruners, loppers, and pole pruners or a pruning saw, if necessary.
Kaiser’s method is straightforward. Start by shaping the overall tree, ensuring the number of crepe myrtle trunks is between three and five, with no more than seven. “If you need to remove any extras, cut them all the way back to the ground, making a clean cut right at the base,” she advised. Next, clear out the suckers around the base of your crepe myrtle to prevent it from looking too bushy and to stop more trunks from forming. “Pull or cut them off at the ground to keep your tree looking tidy and tree-like,” she suggested.
The next pruning step involves cultivating the quintessential tree shape: lifting the canopy. “To keep your crepe myrtle looking more like a tree (and less like a big shrub), trim off the lower branches from the main trunks up to about 5 feet high,” Kaiser stated. You can go higher for taller trees. Periodically check your work from a distance to ensure the emerging shape aligns with your vision. Finally, thin out the top by removing branches that grow toward the tree’s center, cross over other branches, or appear unhealthy. “Always cut back to another branch, an outward-facing bud, or the branch collar (that slightly swollen part where the branch meets the trunk),” she advised.
