Crapemyrtle – Which is the Right Way to Prune
![crape pruned OK 2 | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener Suckers from trunk - grated](https://t9e4s3i5.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/crape-pruned-OK-2-600x450.jpg)
There are many opinions on which is the “correct” way to prune a crapemyrtle.
A landscape owner may want a smaller tree, more blooms, or less work….all of which demand a different kind of pruning.
Dr. Gary Knox at the University of Florida did an experiment over a couple of years. He compared no pruning to “pencil pruning” to “topping” to “pollarding” (modified topping).
Click here to download his PowerPoint presentation.
His conclusions:
• Unpruned trees require the least overall “work”
• Pencil-pruning and Pollarding take more time than Topping
• Topping and Pollarding stimulate more sprouts; i.e., the harder you prune, the more you stimulate sprouting
• The harder you prune, the more you delay flowering
• ‘Natchez’: Hard pruning reduces number of flowers and slightly increases flower size
• ‘Carolina Beauty’: Pruning had no clear effect on number of flowers; topping reduced flower size
What’s the “right” way to prune?
It depends on:
• Amount of time available for winter pruning
• Skill of the worker
• Desired plant size
• Preferred winter appearance
• Preferred summer appearance
Another good opinion
Bonnie Appleton: Topping Crapemyrtles is Savage
Crapemyrtle Pruned Poorly – Pictures
Crapemyrtle Pruned Correctly – Pictures
![crape pruned badly | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener](https://t9e4s3i5.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/crape-pruned-badly-768x1024.jpg)
This makes me want to cry
![crape pruned OK 2 | Walter Reeves: The Georgia Gardener Suckers from trunk - grated](https://t9e4s3i5.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/crape-pruned-OK-2.jpg)
Nicely pruned. No knobs, graceful.