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    theresa101's Avatar
    theresa101 Posts: 19, Reputation: 3
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    #1

    Jun 23, 2010, 06:09 PM
    Trimming Crêpe Myrtles
    I know typically Crêpe Myrtles are trimmed back in Feb/March but it is very hard at that time for me to tell what exactly needs trimming. It is late enough in the season and enough growth has taken place that I can see off shoot branches that I would like to trim to obtain the shape I want for the tree (right now they are just kind of crazy) It is very hot in my region now and no signs of that changing. Would I harm my trees to trim at this time or should I wait until end of summer of just leave them be and allow them to grow au natural?
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #2

    Jun 23, 2010, 06:11 PM
    You need to wait until the fall or spring to trim crêpe myrtles, when the sap is lower in the trunk of the tree to avoid damage to the shape of the tree.
    theresa101's Avatar
    theresa101 Posts: 19, Reputation: 3
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    #3

    Jun 23, 2010, 06:14 PM

    That was quick, Thanks, so I guess I will just have crazy Crêpe Myrtles for a while longer. I certainly don't want to jeopardize them.
    catladyinflorida's Avatar
    catladyinflorida Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jul 11, 2010, 12:28 PM
    I just trimmed my Crêpe Myrtle. After the first flush of flowers in the season, if you cut off the seed pods, it will flower again. When I do that, I cut any stray shoots that are coming out that are unwanted. It's best to continually clip any small shoots that pop out, throughout the year. My tree is very large and established, so any trimming I do is minimal. If you are talking about taking off significant amounts of your tree, I'd say to wait until Autumn.
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