How to Prune Crepe Myrtles Correctly
This article covers the topic of how to prune Crepe Myrtles (also spelled Crepe Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle). Quick note; this is a great time to inspect your crepes for a serious pest called Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). Here is our complete blog post on the Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale pest, including how to identify and treat it.
When to Prune Crepe Myrtles
If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height.
Pruning is also not necessary for blooming. The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.
How to Prune Crepe Myrtles Correctly
First of all, pruning crepe myrtles is optional; if the plant is in the correct place and can grow to its mature size, let it grow!
If you need to prune your crepe myrtle tree or shrub, thinning branches to limb up the crepe myrtle is the correct method. Remove lower limbs that are thinner than a pencil diameter.
While the plant is young, it is acceptable to prune the top of the branches. When it gets older, this is unacceptable.
As a bonus, pruning correctly is much less work than incorrectly pruning!
What is the incorrect method?
This is a well debated issue and one that plays out differently all over town. Some of us even call the severe pruning of crepe myrtles ‘crepe murder’! Crepe murder weakens the plant making it more susceptible to disease and insect infestations.
If the plant is improperly placed and gets too large for its current position, consider transplanting it before a severe pruning. Crepe myrtles transplant very well!
A severe pruning will result in a ‘knee’ and will result in many smaller weak limbs shooting out from the knee. If cut in the same place each year, the plants develop a knob on the end which is particularly unsightly in the winter. Pruning lower limbs that are less than a pencils’ width in diameter is completely acceptable since this will not leave any scars.
There is one exception to this rule; harsh pruning of dwarf crepe myrtles is acceptable and will not result in ‘knees’.
If you are going to prune, prune correctly!
So, in conclusion, crepe myrtles trees are usually grown as small trees with 3 to 5 trunks that are kept free of small limbs up on the lower part of the tree (up to 2/3 of the height). Thinning of limbs every few years will encourage new growth and blooming but remember to prune only limbs that are less than a pencils’ width in diameter. While the trees are young, the tips of the small limbs can be pruned off (again only those a pencil width diameter or less). As the tree grows, it become difficult and even dangerous to prune the top and it’s not necessary anyway. Here are a few images of correct and incorrect pruning.
And if you are in the market for a crepe myrtle, remember that they come in all sizes and bloom colors. Come see us and we will help you find the one that works best in your space so you can avoid crepe murder!
Bad Crepe Myrtle Pruning:
Good Crepe Myrtle Pruning
This is how to prune crepe myrtles! Notice that the horticulturist is taking off only low limbs that are small in diameter, while leaving the large trunks in place.
Here are some images of tree crepe myrtles after both correct and incorrect pruning:
Growth after incorrect crepe myrtle pruning:
Growth after correct crepe myrtle pruning. Isn’t that a beautiful tree?!
Learning how to prune crepe myrtles correctly makes a huge difference in the health, shape, and blooming power of your trees. With the right approach, you can keep them looking beautiful year after year while avoiding common mistakes that lead to weak growth or poor flowering.
If you’d like more guides like this, feel free to explore our resources at The Good Earth Garden Center. We share expert advice, plant care tips, and seasonal how-tos to help you grow confidently. Visit our website to discover more helpful gardening content beyond just how to prune crepe myrtles and keep your landscape thriving.
