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Crapemyrtle Pruning: Selective Over Topping

Q: Most crapemyrtles are topped—is selective pruning better?

A: Selective pruning is far healthier. Topping creates ugly knobs, increases powdery mildew and aphids. Landscapers top for speed, not plant health. References at Crapemyrtle Pruning.

About Gardening: Pruning Paddle Cactus (Opuntia): Timing, Technique, and Woody Stem Limitations; Pruning Mulberry Trees in California: Timing and Technique; Pruning Pyracantha Without the Bloodshed: Battery-Powered Hedge Trimmers; Hydrangea Pruning Guide: Know Your Type; Managing Crapemyrtle Suckers After Severe Pruning; Clematis Pruning: Timing Depends on Bloom Type; Fig Pruning Strategy for Consistent Annual Crops; Pruning Leggy Gardenias: A Three-Year Plan for Stronger, Blooming Shrubs; Crapemyrtle Pruning: Why Tree-Form Varieties Need Almost None; Crapemyrtle Pruning: Skip the "Knobbing," Try Pencil Pruning

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