How to Trim a Crepe Myrtle Bush

The clusters of crinkly white, pink, red or purple flowers of the crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) grace home, business and civic landscapes each summer. This deciduous multi-stemmed tree or bush can grow from 15 to 30 feet in height and 6 to 15 feet in width. The trunk of crepe myrtle is interesting to see as it loses its bark and presents a smooth image under the vibrant foliage. Crepe myrtle grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9 and can be the focal point of your landscape with a few trimming or pruning techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Hand clippers for twigs and branches up to 1/2 inch
• Lopping shears for 1/2-inch to 1 1/2-inch branches

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Remove the limbs of your crepe myrtle that are broken, dead or diseased.

   • 2

     Remove suckers. Suckers are new growth called shoots that grow from the root system.

   • 3

     Remove side branches that are growing beyond the size that you desire for your crepe myrtle.

   • 4

     Remove all branches that are crossing or rubbing together.

   • 5

     Remember to cut back to the larger branches of the bush. Make sure your tools are sharp and in good working order so that the cuts are smooth. Avoid tearing the bark to prevent damage to the bush.