Crape Myrtle Pruning: How to Do It Right (and Avoid Crape Murder)
Every winter, crape myrtles all over metro Atlanta get chopped down to thick, ugly stubs. It happens so often that it has its own name: crape murder. The good news is that crape myrtles don’t need that kind of pruning to bloom, and they look and grow a lot better without it.
Here’s when to prune crape myrtles in Georgia, what to cut and how to fix a tree that’s already been topped.
When to Prune Crape Myrtles in Georgia
The best time is late winter, while the plant is still dormant and before new growth starts. In metro Atlanta, that’s usually February into early March. UGA Extension recommends late winter for crape myrtle pruning.
It’s also worth knowing that crape myrtles don’t need to be pruned every year. As UGA Extension points out, they flower even if you skip pruning. Many trees only need light cleanup.
What Is Crape Murder?
Crape murder is cutting the trunks or main branches back to the same height every year, usually leaving thick stubs at about head height. People do it because they think it makes the tree bloom more, or because the tree has outgrown its space. According to UGA Extension, heavy topping leads to:
- New growth made up of weak shoots that aren’t strong enough to support the blooms
- Gnarled “knuckles” at the ends of the trunks after years of repeated cutting
- Large cuts that are hard to heal and let in disease and rot
- A thicket of long, thin branches that droop under the weight of the flowers
How to Prune a Crape Myrtle the Right Way
Good crape myrtle pruning keeps the tree’s natural vase shape and opens up the canopy. UGA Extension recommends:
- Remove suckers sprouting from the base and roots.
- Limb up the trunks. Take off small side branches from the bottom third or so of the trunks to show off the smooth, peeling bark.
- Cut out damaged, diseased or inward-growing branches.
- Remove branches that cross or rub against each other.
- Thin the canopy so you can “see through it, not over it.”
- Seed heads are optional. Removing them is mostly about looks.
When removing a whole branch, cut just outside the slightly swollen branch collar rather than flush with the trunk.
How to Fix a Topped Crape Myrtle
If your crape myrtle has already been murdered, it can recover, but it takes a few seasons. A common approach is to let it grow out, then choose one to three strong, well-spaced shoots coming off each knuckle and remove the rest. Leave those shoots alone so they can develop into real branches. In bad cases, some people cut the trunks back near the ground and retrain the tree from new sprouts.
What If My Crape Myrtle Is Too Big?
Crape myrtles range from under 3 feet to more than 20 feet tall at maturity, according to UGA Extension. If yours keeps outgrowing its spot, topping won’t fix it. It’ll just grow back fast and weak. The long-term answer is replacing it with a variety that fits the space. For a big, established crape myrtle, a professional can thin and reduce it with proper cuts back to side branches.
Watch for Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
If the trunks of your crape myrtle are turning black and sooty, look closely for small white or gray felt-like spots on the bark. That’s likely crape myrtle bark scale, an insect pest that has spread into Georgia. The black coating is sooty mold growing on the sticky honeydew the insects produce. Your local UGA Extension office can help confirm it and recommend treatment.
For larger crape myrtles, or if you’d rather not deal with the pruning, see our tree trimming services. Our tree trimming cost guide shows typical crape myrtle trimming prices, and our post on the best time to trim trees in Georgia covers other species.
Crape Myrtle Pruning FAQs
When should I prune crape myrtles in Georgia?
Late winter, while the plant is still dormant and before new growth starts. UGA Extension recommends late winter as the time to prune.
What is crape murder?
Crape murder is cutting crape myrtles back to thick stubs every year. UGA Extension notes it leads to weak shoots that struggle to support blooms, knobby knuckles at the ends of the trunks, and cuts that let in disease and rot.
Do crape myrtles need to be pruned every year?
No. UGA Extension points out that crape myrtles flower even if you skip pruning. Many need only light thinning and sucker removal.
How do I fix a crape myrtle that’s been topped?
It takes a few seasons. A common approach is to pick one to three strong, well-spaced shoots from each knuckle, remove the rest, and let those shoots grow into new branches without topping them again.
How do I keep a crape myrtle from getting too big?
The best fix is choosing a variety that fits the space. UGA notes crape myrtles range from under 3 feet to more than 20 feet tall at maturity, so check the mature size before you plant.
Need Help With a Tree in Your Yard?
Avalon Tree Services is based in Lilburn and works throughout Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta. If you’re not sure whether a tree should stay or go, we’ll come take a look and give you an honest answer. Contact us or call 770-415-8581 for a free estimate.
Jose Roman is the owner of Avalon Tree Services and a member of the Georgia Green Industry Association (GGIA member #68916703). He leads the crews behind every tree removal, pruning job and storm cleanup we do across Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta, working out of our home base in Lilburn. Jose reviews the advice on this site so it lines up with what we actually see in Georgia yards: tall loblolly pines, aging water oaks and red clay that turns to mud after a week of rain.
