When to Prune Crape Myrtle: Best Crape Myrtle Pruning Season

While many people prune their crepe myrtle trees to improve the tree’s appearance or stimulate new growth, pruning is not essential for the health of the plant. “When to prune crepe myrtle trees?” is usually the next question these folks ask after deciding to trim the trees in their yard. The answer to this question varies based on your reasons for wanting to prune a crepe myrtle tree. Most likely, you are pruning for general upkeep or in an attempt to encourage the tree to bloom again in a single year.

When to Prune Crepe Myrtle for General Upkeep

The best time to prune your crepe myrtle if you’re just looking to give your tree some general upkeep is in the late winter or early spring, when the tree is dormant. If you are trying to encourage new growth, reshape the tree, remove weak or deep branches, or maintain size, now is the ideal time to prune.

When to Prune Crepe Myrtle for a Second Bloom

Deadheading is a technique that can help a crepe myrtle tree, like many other plants, produce a second flush of blossoms. In this instance, the crepe myrtle tree should be pruned soon after the first round of blossoms has faded. Cut off the blossoms. If this procedure is carried out too late in the year, the tree may not go into dormancy as soon as it should, which could lead to its death during the winter. Attempting this after the first of August is not advised. You would probably not get a second round of blooms before winter arrives if the first round is not finished by the beginning of August. If they intend to spend the time pruning a crepe myrtle tree, every owner of crepe myrtle should know when to do so. Selecting the right time for crepe myrtle pruning will guarantee that the tree remains gorgeous and healthy for many years to come.