Crepe Myrtles still not leafing out, western kentucky

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kentuckynet Nashville, TN May 18, 2011

Hello, i have many crepe myrtles that i have bought from lowes over the past few years, i have several different types. All are ok for my zone. My question is this year i have lots of suckers growing around the base but no leaves? Did they die during the winter?Or is this normal? I have 4 that are fully leafed out 10 that look similar to my above photo.This particular one is an arapahoe, also i live in western kentucky,
Also should i cut off the new shoots/suckers on the base?

thanks for your advice.


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Post #8572317
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) May 18, 2011

I'd give them a little time still--if you had a cold snap just at the wrong time as they were thinking about leafing out some of the leaf buds could have been zapped so it'll take a little time to make new ones. Or if your winter was bad enough then the top growth could have died--if you go a bit north of you they tend to die back most winters but the roots survive and resprout. I would leave the suckers alone for now until you see if the other parts are going to leaf out--if they don't then you'll want those suckers. But if the top part leafs out then it's fine to cut off the suckers if you want it to look like a tree rather than a shrub.

Post #8572675
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LordsNursery Lake Placid, FL(Zone 9b) May 18, 2011

if you wish to check the top to see if it will open, either cut into one branch or scratch the wood up high if green on the inside, remove lower suckers and fertilize should open in 2 weeks. plants do whats easier- sprout from bottom or push food and water all the way to the top?
steve

Post #8572721
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kentuckynet Nashville, TN May 18, 2011

thank you!
I have three pink velour that leafed right out, i have 5 arapahoe one was in the photo that only have suckers, one nanchez only suckers (big 9 footer), 4 dynamite only suckers and 1 centennial only suckers...............

These are strange kritters!

I did scratch some of the top branches and they are not green inside and seem dead.
The bases appear to be more alive and even have a green tint to them.

Should i cut back some of the dead branches?

Post #8572781
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LordsNursery Lake Placid, FL(Zone 9b) May 19, 2011

most trees I tell folks to wait, because trees canregenerate cell and push out dead... crepes dont usually do that. cut back until green then watch them explode.

Post #8573446
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