Question

My neighbor prunes his crepe myrtles to the trunk every fall. Is this a good idea? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Late winter is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it's leafless and you can easily see all of the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning now won't reduce blooming. In fact, it may increase it.

Crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Although some gardeners prune their crepe myrtles in the fall, it is not a good idea. Fall pruning not only creates an unattractive look for winter but also removes the current year's growth as a buffer against any potential winter damage. Good pruning while crepe myrtles are young will mean less maintenance when the trees are older.