Crapemyrtle Pruning: Why Tree-Form Varieties Need Almost None

Everyone complains about "crape murder"—the annual topping of crapemyrtles into ugly knobs. But here's the secret: if you chose a tree-form variety and planted it with room to grow, you barely need to prune at all.

The Right Plant, The Right Place

Tree-form crapemyrtles (Lagerstroemia cultivars like 'Natchez', 'Muskogee', 'Tuscarora') naturally develop graceful, multi-trunk architecture. Their only pruning needs:

• Remove basal suckers (trunk sprouts) 1–2× per year
• Optional: thin crossing branches in winter for structure
• That's it. No topping. No "pollarding." No annual haircut.

Why People Prune Them Into Submission

They planted a 25-foot variety under a 10-foot eave. Or a shrub-form type in a tree lawn. The pruning isn't maintenance—it's damage control for a poor initial choice.

Choose Wisely, Prune Rarely

Match mature size to site. Select tree-form cultivars for canopy. Give them space. Then enjoy exfoliating bark, summer blooms, and fall color—without the loppers.