With such a wide array of sizes available, crape myrtle can be used as either a bush or a tree. “Varieties that can reach at least 15 to 20 feet are the best to tree form,” Tracy advises.

The reason most often used for topping crape myrtles is that they have gotten too tall. The solution is simple. There are over 1200 varieties of crape myrtle with mature heights ranging from 2 ...

The proper way to prune. To prune a crape myrtle properly, first decide if it needs to be pruned. As with any pruning project, you must have a specific, valid purpose in mind before you begin.

If you have a crape myrtle tree in your yard, you may have heard about "Crape Murder". It's when the tops of crape myrtles are cut down. 1 weather alerts 1 closings/delays. Watch Now ...

For the crape myrtle, prune it in late February or early March. Pruning it now would expose it to winter damage if we have a cold winter. Stagger the cuts so that it grows fuller instead of ...

Submitted photo This is known as 'crape murder,' lopping off the top of a crape myrtle tree to try and make it into a bush. This tree will not bloom this year. By Amy-Lynn Albertson.

Crape murder is happening all over town. It doesn’t matter how horticulturists talk about proper pruning techniques, each year more and more trees are cut back to stubs. Standard crape myrtles ...

First detected in the U.S. in Dallas in 2004, crape myrtle bark scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the sap of plants. ... Crape myrtles are the most popular summer flowering tree in the U.S.

Dear Neil: Is there an effective treatment for crape myrtle bark scale? It’s not as bad as it was a few years ago, but I’d like to eliminate it. As insects in Texas go, this is a comparative ...

Every crape myrtle will need some pruning in its life to grow properly and fit in well with its surroundings. Here are some examples: Over time, branches that are too low on the trunk(s) will need ...

DEAR JANET: I have waited all season for my hydrangeas to bloom and had nary a one until now. Now, they are covered. Why now? Nothing has changed that I know of. I live in Fayetteville.