Crape myrtles are a popular choice in landscaping in the Bay Area and Central Coast because they are a hardy plant with beautiful foliage. However, if you go about pruning the wrong way, you can lose all of the advantages that a crape myrtle provides. Some people believe that chopping the top off crape myrtles is necessary to help it fit within a particular space. However, if you want to keep an ideal, natural-looking shape and size, you just need to do light, regular pruning.
If you want crape myrtles in your yard, you have a lot of choices. New cultivars come in a variety of colors and sizes, which means you can put a crape myrtle in just about any shape. Many varieties are resistant to powdery mildew, which afflicts many trees in the Bay Area.
We believe in leaving the branches and stems that encourage proper structure, and taking out the shoots and branches growing toward the center. As your tree gets taller, we take out lower branches when necessary. If seed heads are in reach, we will sometimes take those out too if necessary.
Pruning any more than this is not necessary for a healthy crape myrtle. If you would like a complimentary estimate about the best placement for a new crape myrtle or pruning crape myrtles that you already have, call one of our professional arborists to schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!