Crapemyrtle Pruning Methods Compared: Topping, Pollarding, and Pencil Pruning

Crapemyrtle Pruning Methods Compared: Topping, Pollarding, and Pencil Pruning

Dr. Gary Knox at the University of Florida conducted a multi-year experiment comparing four pruning approaches: no pruning, pencil pruning, topping, and pollarding (modified topping).

Key Findings

• Unpruned trees require the least overall work.
• Pencil pruning and pollarding take more time than topping.
• Harder pruning stimulates more sprouting.
• Harder pruning delays flowering.
• 'Natchez': Hard pruning reduces flower number but slightly increases flower size.
• 'Carolina Beauty': Pruning had no clear effect on flower number; topping reduced flower size.

What's the "Right" Way to Prune?

It depends on:

• Time available for winter pruning
• Skill of the worker
• Desired plant size
• Preferred winter appearance
• Preferred summer appearance

Additional Perspective: Bonnie Appleton argues "Topping Crapemyrtles is Savage."

Click here to download his PowerPoint presentation.