Is my tree in shock or dead? Clip off those "suckers" at the base of the trunk. Pick a random twig on the tree and scratch it with your finger or a pocket knife. It looks good and the split branches are probably harmless. How should I prune my Crape Myrtles like the pros do. Like; Save; Hollyclyff. Try planting multiple colors together for a beautiful and unique plant! My Crepe Myrtle Has No Leaves. Share This: Post navigation. If you do not see any new growth by the end of June, your Crape Myrtle is indeed dead. You may also want to leave a few suckers to grow into new stems as well. Many varieties of crape myrtles can be encouraged to bloom a second time, but timing is important. No worries, this is a common question we get and by the end of this article you'll understand how to prune your crepe myrtle trees without making the same mistakes you've seen your neighbors make. If you find dead wood, the best treatment is to cut the branch back to the point where the wood is healthy. Single Trunk Crepe myrtles make lovely street trees, so we often plant them in the space between the road and the sidewalk. Crape myrtle branches always look dead while dormant -- I've grown a few from seed and during the winter when they were small they really did look dead -- then in the spring, like magic, they'd leaf out again. Some refer to that manner of pruning as "Crepe Murder". Spray at weekly to 10-day intervals with sulfur or Bordeaux mixture or other copper fungicide, particularly if weather is damp. Remove all dead branches from shrub centers, especially in crape myrtle hedges to allow better aeration. Please help. 13 years ago. posted by Fairchild at 1:16 PM on August 7, 2014 [3 favorites] My husband and I owned our first home here in Florida for more than 40 years before selling it five years ago. Mulching helps prevent the disease from splashing up from the ground and infecting plants. If you don't, your crepe myrtle tree will start looking like a shrub. Gin Phillips, author and winner of the Barnes & Noble Discover Award. Crape Myrtle leaves 2 ( photo / image / picture from DannyTroy's Garden) Crape Myrtle Leaves ( photo / image / picture from DannyTroy's Garden) Crape Myrtle ( photo / image / picture from DannyTroy's Garden) I'm completely stumped and I don't want my tree to die. For vibrant summer color, few flowering plants can compete with the crepe myrtle. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid- … Do the same for a few other twigs throughout the tree. It still looks like it's getting worse. The blossoms are scattering off the crape myrtles every time the wind blows, falling like hot pink confetti. Just look around your neighborhood. Anytime you see them, snip them. Deadheading crape myrtles (removing dead or dying flowers) encourages new sprouts and blooms, but if you deadhead too late in the season, the tender new growth … For some number of years now, it seems people have decided that heavy, radical pruning of Crepe Myrtles is the way to go. I would cut off the dead wood and let it go. Dead trees and trees in shock can look deceivingly similar, but there’s an easy way to tell the difference. It all depends on your preference and what Crape Myrtle style you would like in your landscape. To achieve the multi stem look, allow your Crape Myrtle to branch along the length of the stem. Crepe myrtles come in all different colors and heights, so find the one that's right for you. First things first. You need to decide what look you would like for your tree to have. Always make cuts just above a bud or side branch. We often plant them in the South is lined with these blooming trees from mid-June to mid- … my Myrtle! 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