The Spacing Between Crape Myrtle Trees

Crape Myrtle Spacing

• Crape myrtles can reach 20 to 30 feet tall and spread 12 to 15 feet wide, so space trees about 15 to 20 feet apart. Trees are easy to grow and do well in any well-drained soil. Because trees can vary in height and spread, it is important to choose one that fits the space you have available. Overcrowding and shading trees can cause problems with tree growth and encourage disease.

Overcrowding and Blooming

• Crape myrtles require full sun to boom sufficiently. Trees bloom heavily when given full, uninterrupted sunlight. While trees grow in shade, any amount of shade each day can affect flowering and even prevent it. So it is important to provide proper spacing and plant trees where no other trees or structures block the sunlight. Trees need at least six hours of sunlight daily, but bloom profusely with abundant sunshine.

Overcrowding and Disease

• Crowding crape myrtles reduces air flow and circulation, which can encourage disease. Bacterial leaf spot can develop on crowded trees. Affected trees leaves have dark-brown, irregular-shaped spots with an oily appearance and a yellow halo. Infected leaves turn yellow or red and drop prematurely. Crowded trees can also suffer with powdery mildew due to poor air circulation. This fungal disease affects both leaves and flowers, creating a powdery film and causing the most damage to flower buds.

Proper Pruning

• Prune crape myrtle trees to control size, encourage flowering and allow for adequate air circulation and sunlight. You can maintain a tree's height and width with moderate pruning to remove all twiggy growth back to the lower-growing side branches. Remove sucker branches and snip off spent flowers to promote a second, but lighter, bloom. In winter or early spring, prune crape myrtle trees to remove branches and small twigs in the tree's center to improve air circulation and create open space for sunlight.