iMOWclyde This pruning is to control size as they were planted in a space that is too small for the trees.

you are right

umm pruning the canopy DOES produce larger bloom heads. A crepe myrtle canopy left natural looks great (in the right place) but it will have smaller, more airy bloom characteristics. By pruning the canopy you are changing the apical dominance of that particular branch and as a result more energy is used for growth and bloom production. Roses are similar.. they LOVE to be pruned and the result is obvious. The only real issue is the astheticall look a person prefers. . Formal or natural. .

I was gonna say the exact same thing, they grow so tall that you have to look way up to see the blooms. Is keeping them short the best thing for the tree? Maybe maybe not but it’s up to the owner to decide what they want them to appear like

I agree it’s like another form of crepe minder. Looks ugly in winter and ruins natural shape. Don’t recommend

Any selective pruning is a manipulation of the natural growth of any shrub or tree.. We shape boxwoods and Helleri hollies in a very unnatural way to produce a desired asthetic. The style of pruning this guy used is in no way harmful to the crepe myrtle and simply achieves a desired astheticall appearance. Not a "natural look" but definitely not wrong. . Allowing that 6 to 8 inches above last year's growth is smart from a horticultural point of view in that it tends to produce much bigger bloom heads without compromising the strength of the canopy branching or the health of the tree. I think the real issue is that some folks prefer a natural, flowing landscape while others prefer a more formal manicured look.

What are you talking about it “tolerates sunlight well”? It NEEDS full sun

neverlostforwords I love both looks but mine were planted in a small space by the home builder so I have to prune them each year.

I understand. :)

No you don't, Tightwad. You can transplant them to a more suitable location and plant something more appropriate in their place, or you can allow them to grow as shrubs instead of in a tree form. Crape myrtles are not trees. Botanically, they're a large shrub. People just form them into trees, and that does work... and it looks good when done correctly, but what you are showing here is NOT how you maintain them in tree form. Take it from someone who actually works with a tree man, in Texas, where we have those things everywhere. It pains me to see people scalping crape myrtles. You've turned them into *crap myrtles*... sorry to break it to ya, pal.

@@meganmcgowan5798 Okay Karen

lyne eisenhardt Thank you! I’m glad you like it also.

Julie Fields You are welcome. If your tree has room to go, I don’t recommend pruning annually. This is primarily used for trees in areas they are too big for.

@@TightWadDIY I have a Natchez White CM that is a little close to the corner of my garage(10 ft). Probably not the right variety for the location(smallish lot) but in order to keep it in check do you recommend the same type of pruning technique? It's not that large now but in time it will be. Good video btw.

@@MSDOGS1976 That is a similar situation to mine. That’s why I use this pruning method. If I didn’t, they would take over my sidewalk and driveway.

You are welcome. This method will keep them out of the power lines!

Pease don't! The clue is POWER LINES. Unless you are stupid, and need removal from the gene pool.

Binh Minh Pham You are welcome. Be sure to subscribe!

fitnesschallenge1000 Yes. I do get some heat. I remove the inappropriate or rude ones but leave the ones who are helpful or provide constructive criticism. Arborist will day you should never tip a crape but also agree that if the tree is planted in the wrong area, topping is better than removing the tree all together.

This is exactly the information I was looking for. I knew this was possible!

James Arbona You are welcome, James. Be sure to subscribe so you can see when I post other helpful videos.

You are welcome. I hope it works for you as well.

Ariel Sarino I 100% agree with you.

I'm so glad you said this too Ariel Sarino. I see the same. I think there are different species of CMs that need individualized care. I think this method is right for his species and location. I have several that he mentioned that look like huge fountains and they don't flower like the ones along the road - which are already flowering down here.

Clarence Bell Thank you Clarence.

@@TightWadDIY YW. Just saw the follow-up video. They're beautiful! Nice job. Thanks for sharing your work.

This is called crepe murder. they're resilient plants, they can regrow even if you do a bad job of pruning. but this looks unnatural and the internodal cuts cause a lot of ugly sucker growth.

bigdawgfan72 You are welcome. GO DAWGS!

Glad I could help

silvia gaxiola You are welcome. I’m glad you found it helpful.

I prune it as low as possible then use a sucker stopper. amzn.to/3CxUGOl

Michele Zink I 100% agree. Home owners can’t help where landscapers planted their trees. We just maintain them with proper pruning so they can continue to thrive and be beautiful!

@@TightWadDIY AMEN - have already been watching several other videos of yours - great stuff! Thanks for taking the time to make these! It's time consuming I'm certain but I am so, so grateful! Subscribed!

Michele Zink That you for the kind words. I appreciate the sub!

You’re welcome.

Sure.

You are welcome...I guess. Go Dawgs!

I do the same! I wish these had room to grow naturally.

Raccoon Eyes I hope it’s still dormant. Depends on where you live and what the weather has been like. I live in Georgia and mine is just now showing signs of life in the past 3-4 days.

That should be fine.

You can wet the trunks and scrub them off with a wire brush. A healthy myrtle is more lichen resistant. Try fertilizing twice a year for young trees and once a year for more mature trees.

I would cut them as low as you want once they are dormant. I bet they come back beautifully!

You only need to prune them if they don’t have room to reach their natural size in the area they are planted.

You're welcome!

There is a follow up video linked in the description.

@@TightWadDIY wow they actually turned out really good!

It’s not easy to keep them that low. The trunks will get large and look odd

You can still use this method. These trees were 5 years old and unkept when I moved into the house. This is my 4th year pruning them. Ideally you would prune them in late winter before temps begin to rise. In the south, we prune in late January or early February.

Thank you very much. Can't wait to do it, they look horrible. Lol

Calikusher Tc I would ask them what look they are going for.

It's suppose to b 2-4 inch cuts

Paula Rudevics Mine usually only have that problem when it rains. The full blooms hold too much water and some of the branches break. I don’t think you should prune them while in bloom. If a branch breaks, just prune it off.

@@TightWadDIY This is exactly why horticulturists advise against this kind of pruning. The trees become too weak at the top to handle the size and weight of the blooms. The pruning you are doing is also leaving the trees susceptible to rot, and disease. They also have the "knotty" look from all the cuts, which detracts from the natural beauty of a Crape Myrtle. It's fine if you choose to do this, as they are your trees. But to post an instructional video and title it "How to Properly Prune", when you are in fact teaching something that is the exact opposite of what professionals (horticulturists, arborists, and basically anyone who has actually studied the science of growing trees) recommend, it's pretty irresponsible. From reading the comments being left, it sounds like some people are assuming that you are a professional, or at least that you know what you are doing. You are doing a disservice to the public,

Mine have started new growth already in the south. If yours haven’t, you should be able to prune. If it has room to grow, there is no need to do this dramatic pruning and a thinning could be effective.

River Front You can prune most evergreen shrubs anytime throughout spring and summer. You just don't want to prune them anytime a month before the expected first frost in the fall. I typically prune mine 2-3 times a year as needed.

Wilbur Yuen If your trees have room to grow large, you can use their pruning method. If your trees are in an area with limited space, this method is acceptable. Just be sure not to cut to the same location each year. That is the true meaning of crape murder.

There are several cultivars of crape myrtles. If you have limited space use one that grows accordingly. There is no "acceptable" way to top Crape Myrtles. All those branches you are cutting (the ones looking ugly) are the result from topping them in the first place.

This video is wrong ! I worked as a horticulturist at a botanical garden in the south. We had dozens of crepe myrtles of many varieties and we never did this to any of them. They are tough plants and will survive this type of pruning, probably, but they will never have the natural beauty they are capable of.

Not everybody want 20 foot tall and 20 foot wide Crepe Myrtles..And if you don't control them that's the way the tree becomes.

The only reason you would want to do this is if the top has become unruly. The tree will grow 3-5 feet taller in the next year. The problem with commuting crepe murder (like this) repeatedly is that the tree will develop nobs below the canopy that make the trunks look ugly.

Anthony I don’t know that variety but yes, you should be able to. Crape Myrtles love full sun.

Susan Mangina You can do a less aggressive pruning now. If they are simply too large for the are they are planted in, you can still prune using this method to get them under control. They should still bloom this year.

Prune before leaves come out

Prune them with this same method. Prune them near the end of winter when they are completely dormant.

Do not do this is you prefer the correct natural canopy growth of a Crape Myrtle. Search KZfaq for proper ways to prune and follow the advice of any of the local Ag extensions from university horticulture programs. They say do not do it this way.

+wolfpackfan94 Crape Myrtle trees do not naturally form what I would consider a canopy. Arborists do show a different method for pruning these trees to prevent disease and increase longevity. While more natural, it does not promote the visual aesthetics many home owners prefer.

I recorded this video today to show you how mine look mid summer after the February pruning. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLCii5pnmrrFmps.html

julio guerra You could but I think you get much cleaner cuts with pruning shears or lopers. It is best to prune with a sharp single blade cutter.

Once you are sure they are dormant it shouldn't matter. Mid March sounds good to me though!

I live on Eastern Shore of MD. Can I prune my crepe myrtle now ?

Myra Camilo My pleasure!

Mansour Ramzey You can prune them anytime but you risk not having them fully bloom this year.

Melanie Wallace I did not personally plant these trees so I'm not sure the name of the variety. I would recommend calling a local nursery to ask them what type of crêpe myrtle will do well in your area and has the size requirements that you need.

Crape myrtles ARE shrubs. They are simply pruned and cultivated to form the tree shape. But if you buzzed a crape myrtle back to the ground and allowed it to regrow on its own, it would form a medium to large shrub. Some species and varieties "tree up" more readily than others, and some go more bushy by nature, but they are all technically considered to be shrubs. Perhaps the variety that you have is just one that prefers to be a shrub. If you want one with a more tree-like habit, there are several that have "Native American" names... such as 'Miami', which is one of my favorites. It bears deep pink blooms and a darker brownish bark, and it tends to grow fairly upright. But they can also get quite tall, to 25 feet or even more. 'Tuscarora' is a bit shorter, typically getting to about 15 feet, with coral pink flowers and leaves that take on a beautiful red color in the fall. It tends to be a bit shrubbier, but it can be maintained as a tree. 'Natchez' is a tall variety, but it has a dwarf version as well! This one has white blooms and a nice shape. There are many semi-dwarf and dwarf varieties available... this is a pretty good list, from 'Southern Living' magazine: www.southernliving.com/garden/grumpy-gardener/choose-a-smaller-crepe-myrtle

It should have the name/color and height it will grow on the nursery tag. They come in dwarf sizes 2-5 feet, medium tree is 10-15 and large trees can grow 25-30 feet tall. Many colors and growth patterns too. We just planted 65 white Acoma and red Tontos on our 9 acres, both are meduim size.

Dannie Giirl Next time, hold your head high and say thank you! You are doing it yourself and saving money! Money that can be used elsewhere to better your life. My KZfaq channel is called TightWadRepairs. There is a movement called tightwadnation started by financial advisors from The Money Guy Show. You should check them out. Please don't be offended, it is meant as a compliment.

TightWadRepairs I intend to. Thank you!!!

Safetymanzero Well said. Thanks.

@@TightWadDIY This would be true if the title of the video was "How I like to Prune Crape Myrtles" instead of "How to Properly Prune". You're putting out bad information.

William Dixon Haha. They are needed for these trees. Tons of tiny pieces fall off.

Sure! I checked last night ask I have some leaves starting to come out. I will make a video in a few weeks.

+TightWadRepairs Does it bloom in August? Some older trees seem to bloom earlier. I planted mine last May and it bloomed mid august.

+Mad Season Staley These trees are about 7 years old. I've pruned them this way for the past 5 years and they begin blooming in about May and bloom all the way through the fall. I live in Georgia so your geographical location will determine when and how long yours bloom. I would expect your trees to bloom earlier than August year year. They were likely in shock from the transplant and focused on root development instead of blooms.

+TightWadRepairs Thanks a lot. I am in NY. Id like to see them bloom earlier to enjoy it. Hopefully I dont crape murder it.

I imagine NY will have a much shorter blooming period due to the shorter warm season. They will recover from what people call crape murder. It just takes longer and is not good for the tree.

alicia root These were installed by the builder but there are three trees.

bookguitarguy Interesting. Let us know how it goes.

bookguitarguy so did the branches keep the fleas away?

@@1982MCI sounds a b.s.

You can prune them like this in winter.

D Lewis I appreciate it. I did actually record a follow up video. I should have linked it in the video! Click this link to see it. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rLCii5pnmrrFmps.html

Brilliant... thanks mate... why do you cut the branches at an angle? Dave Australia

D Lewis I honestly am not sure about the science behind it but most arborist recommend pruning woody trees and shrubs at an angle.

TightWadRepairs no worries mate... Great video. Helped me lots (except it's 42C here and hot as shit) so I won't be outside pruning for a while ;)

You cut at an angle to help rainwater fall off the cut surface, preventing disease.

Laurie Rose Jones Sorry. This is one of my earlier videos before I had a decent camera and tripod. I made sure to explain what I was doing in each step incase you couldn’t see.

Fine. Now change trimming trees to chinese foot binding....

That’s the plan when these get too large to manage. I’m

Thank you for taking the time to post! I’m glad you also enjoy well pruned shrubs and trees.

@@TightWadDIY I wouldn't be in business very long if i didnt produce good results. . But it's homeowners like you who put me out if business LOL

kayumochi I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is the preferred look for most home owners. If it killed the trees, there would be very few Crape Myrtles left.

This method is for trees that would naturally grow too large for their current area. It’s a controlled pruning which yes some call Crape Murder for shock value. I know of trees pruned this way for over 20 years that are still thriving so it’s a poorly radicalized name for pruning.

It won’t die. They just won’t bloom until really late if they bloom at all!

Philip Hernandez I have another video showing how to prune shrubs!

@@TightWadDIY ok👍🏼

Philip Hernandez Here is the link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hcepibGdnr6dgKc.html

m mn Builders don’t typically care about the future size of plants. They want it to look good immediately for the buyers. I would bet 90% of landscaping you see around houses was installed by the builder and not by the home owner or a landscape architect. That is why crapes like mine are planted in the wrong area.

I bought a house that has a large crepe myrtle that blocks the beautiful view. I would like to keep the plant but reduce its size so we can see the view.

jarroyomaranata Sorry

Gordin Freman Getting a small cultivar isn’t an option if you aren’t the one planting the tree. I don’t suggest removing a tree if you can prune it to an appropriate size and it still blooms heartily. IF it dies, which would take years and years, then replace it with a smaller cultivar.

Well I doubt you have to worry about that since they are yours.

😂😂 Thanks pal! You should check the follow up video showing how beautiful they bloom. This is meant to control their growth. Mine aren’t planted in a good location.

B G808 I actually found this method on a reputable nursery’s website. It’s acceptable for pruning crapes in an area not large enough for their natural growth structure. I’ve been pruning crapes this way for over 20 year and not has a single one has died from being “murdered”. They still bloom like they are young.

There is a follow up video so you can see the regrowth. It’s linked in the description.

I disagree.

Yet they are still alive and beautiful!

@@TightWadDIY this type of pruning is not beautiful and actually shortens their live span

Show me another method that can be used to prune a tree when the natural growth pattern is too large for the area it was planted.

​@@TightWadDIY You have plenty of room there. You can thin it out so you'll have dappled shade, or can see right through the tree: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9aVqsiWus6wioU.html

@@SGspecial84 I have to disagree. This variety doesn’t grow straight up. They quickly take over the driveway and sidewalk.

@@SGspecial84 The tree in that video didn’t need much pruning at all because it had plenty of room to grow.

@@TightWadDIY Then you planted the wrong tree dude. Rip it out unless you like looking at a mutant tree 7 - 8 months out of the year when it doesn't have foliage. I'm pretty sure your neighbors don't like to stare at that thing. You've heard the term crepe murder, right?

Julie Frymoyer The area they are planted in does not provide room for their natural shape. If topping is required, this is the proper way to do so.

Damage, Inc. Heck no! They are beautiful! I wouldn’t have planted them here either but this type of pruning allows them to stay here.

@@TightWadDIY The roots are going to buckle and crack all that concrete. It will never stop till the trees are gone.

Damage, Inc. I appreciate the concern. They are 14 years old and have been fine so far.