Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Nothing really screams summer-time in the southern US states like the crape myrtle tree in bloom with its pink flower petals pointing up toward the sky. Generally they grow so nicely and their flowers are so long lasting that people will care for them lovingly as they would care for a member of the family. That is except for the late fall when it is the best time to prune them.
Oddly people are often clueless about the various damages they can do by cutting them back to nearly nothing. This often will leave bush like ugly stumps where there once lived a majestic tree. Generally this can cause any growth to be stunted and can cause them to gain a sickly unnatural bush like appearance.
Just as there is a best time for pruning them there is also a best method to prune them. Often people can cut them back to severely believing this can help produce more flowering limbs the following year. In reality this typically creates delayed flowering, shorter blooming times and weaker branches. Doing this is often as unnecessary as it is harmful for most shrubbery.
Generally late winter or 2-3 months before spring is the best time to do the pruning. The best way to prune them it to try to enhance its natural form rather than trying to force it into an unnatural shape and form. In a correctly pruned tree, its branches grow up and out rather than up and branching to the center.
Look at the tree and follow its trunk and limbs up. Try to look more at the inner than the outer edges of it. The branches you find which twist into other branches at the inside of the plant should be removed. Many people also cut out limbs that are growing incorrectly or is twisted up in a strange and unnatural way.
To prune a limb, follow it to where it connects to a larger limb or to the tree's trunk. If you look at where the parts meet, you can see a slightly enlarged area called a branch collar. Try to prune a minimum of about 2 - 3 inches beyond this area, rather than cutting flush with the limb or tree's trunk. In time this outside part will grow over and cover this stub almost like it was never even there.
If you have not pruned it before or it has been a while, you could have to remove several limbs. Do not be afraid of this. Remember to try preserving their natural shapes and not hack it all up. Trunks can often be removed next to the ground, though this generally causes suckers to start shooting up during the summer months.
Always try to cut smooth and straight. If a limb breaks or cracks before you are finished cutting it make sure to treat it with a good sealant. A crape myrtle tree is venerable to rotting and insects at this point. When pruning, less is always better to cut off than more. Some plants can take a long time to grow back.
Oddly people are often clueless about the various damages they can do by cutting them back to nearly nothing. This often will leave bush like ugly stumps where there once lived a majestic tree. Generally this can cause any growth to be stunted and can cause them to gain a sickly unnatural bush like appearance.
Just as there is a best time for pruning them there is also a best method to prune them. Often people can cut them back to severely believing this can help produce more flowering limbs the following year. In reality this typically creates delayed flowering, shorter blooming times and weaker branches. Doing this is often as unnecessary as it is harmful for most shrubbery.
Generally late winter or 2-3 months before spring is the best time to do the pruning. The best way to prune them it to try to enhance its natural form rather than trying to force it into an unnatural shape and form. In a correctly pruned tree, its branches grow up and out rather than up and branching to the center.
Look at the tree and follow its trunk and limbs up. Try to look more at the inner than the outer edges of it. The branches you find which twist into other branches at the inside of the plant should be removed. Many people also cut out limbs that are growing incorrectly or is twisted up in a strange and unnatural way.
To prune a limb, follow it to where it connects to a larger limb or to the tree's trunk. If you look at where the parts meet, you can see a slightly enlarged area called a branch collar. Try to prune a minimum of about 2 - 3 inches beyond this area, rather than cutting flush with the limb or tree's trunk. In time this outside part will grow over and cover this stub almost like it was never even there.
If you have not pruned it before or it has been a while, you could have to remove several limbs. Do not be afraid of this. Remember to try preserving their natural shapes and not hack it all up. Trunks can often be removed next to the ground, though this generally causes suckers to start shooting up during the summer months.
Always try to cut smooth and straight. If a limb breaks or cracks before you are finished cutting it make sure to treat it with a good sealant. A crape myrtle tree is venerable to rotting and insects at this point. When pruning, less is always better to cut off than more. Some plants can take a long time to grow back.
About the Author:
If you would like to own a crape myrtle tree, check out www.crapemyrtlefarms.com. For low prices on these beautiful trees, visit Crape Myrtle Farms today at http://www.crapemyrtlefarms.com.
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