Don’t top your too-tall crape myrtle. Just don’t
We’ve all seen it driving around town. It is even possible that some of us have even done it. What is the ‘it’ I am referring to you may ask? Well folks, I am referring to the horticultural horror show known as “crape murder.”
For some reason, unbeknownst to horticulturalists and Extension agents worldwide, the practice of topping crape myrtles has persisted in our society for far too long. Any residential neighborhood or commercial business park in Rutherford County will have some grisly evidence of this heinous crime, clearly to be seen by all and emulated by many. Passengers driving in my vehicle this time of year are regularly treated to audible gasps and overly dramatic headshakes as I disgustedly rebuke the pruning neophytes for their continued abuse of our beloved crape myrtles.
The first mistake made by many, long before a single pruning cut is made, is planting a crape myrtle in the wrong place. Most crape myrtle varieties will reach an average height of 10-20 feet tall, with some reaching 30 feet in the case of the variety Natchez. Too often, crape myrtles are used on the corners of houses or garages and within three of four growing seasons, they are already scratching against roofs and gutters. This principle of planting the right plant in the right place is the first step in helping to absolve the world of crape murder.
If you are looking for a great corner crape myrtle that will not get over 12 feet, consider using one of the dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties. The Razzle Dazzle series offers a wide range of flower color options and will reach a maximum height of 4-5 feet at maturity. Several options in this series are Cherry Dazzle, Berry Dazzle, and Strawberry Dazzle. The semi-dwarf varieties I recommend are the white flowering Acoma, the pink flowering Hopi, and medium-pink flowering Delta Jazz. Each of these varieties will reach a maximum height of 7-10 feet at maturity.
If you have already made the mistake of planting a variety that is quickly outgrowing it’s vertical real-estate, you have a few options. First, you may want to consider removing the plant entirely to avoid the yearly hassle of having to do extensive pruning. If you choose to leave it in place, you must use selective pruning, which is the practice of removing specific limbs at the proper location. Selective pruning involves tracing the tallest limbs to the point at which they meet a another limb or main trunk and making the pruning cut at this location. Simply making a topping cut will not only increase your problems, but also permanently distorts the growth and shape of crape myrtles.
When a limb is topped indiscriminately, the natural response of the plant is to grow many new limbs at the pruning location, which are often referred to as ‘suckers’. This profusion of new growth will be tightly bunched and are structurally weaker. This effect is clearly visible on crape myrtles during the late winter and early spring before they break dormancy. Sucker growth density shades out flowering buds, reduces flower set, and contributes to foliar diseases due to decreased light penetration and air movement through the canopy.
Additionally, they grow fast and will be equally as tall as the originally topped limb within a few growing seasons. So, in taking one tall limb away by topping, you now have 20 or 30 in the same place. By making a selective pruning cut at the proper location, you have eliminated the problem limb and avoided having to deal with the resulting sucker growth. This same pruning concept applies to all trees and shrubs and is too often overlooked, resulting in permanent damage and distortion of landscape plants.
Now that you have read this article, I will take a moment to offer you a sincere apology. Passengers in your vehicle will now be subjected to the same gasps and headshakes that my poor wife endures each winter. Please spread the good word on proper pruning and help end crape murder once and or all.
Justin Stefanski is an Extension agent II with UT/TSU Extension, Rutherford County, Tenn.