Crepe myrtle trimming

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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Dec 13, 2002

When is the best time to trim back Crepe myrtles in central FL (Zone 9B)? Can they be trimmed now? Normally I wait too long (Mar.). I try to watch for when the pros cut back the ones in the medians but would like to be a little more proactive.

Post #429060
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plantsdirect Old Town (Gainesvill, FL(Zone 8a) Dec 16, 2002

We did ours at the nursery about 2 weeks ago I would go ahead and do it now!

Post #430320
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Larkie Camilla, GA(Zone 8a) Dec 16, 2002

Mine were done this week..
Larkie

Post #430374
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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Dec 16, 2002

I guess that mid-December would be the time, then. I noticed yesterday that Wal-Mart had cut theirs back, so I guess it is time. I thought I had to wait until after the danger of the last freeze (end of Feb). Guess I'd better get out there, then!

Post #430536
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plantsdirect Old Town (Gainesvill, FL(Zone 8a) Dec 16, 2002

Oh no, the freezes don't hurt the stems at all, because the trees are deciduous and dropping their leaves anyways. Anything like that that drops the leaves we start trimming back around this time! You just don't want them to think you're tryign to encourage new growth, which will be killed by the freeze. But its cool enough now where most are dormant!

katrina

Post #430550
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ButterflyGardnr Orlando, FL(Zone 9b) Dec 16, 2002

I was worried about the new growth. I didn't want the plant to send out new growth too soon and have the tender shoots get hit by a frost.

Post #430639
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plantsdirect Old Town (Gainesvill, FL(Zone 8a) Dec 16, 2002

even if it does and they do get hit it won't harm the tree itself just snip the new growth off!

Katrina

Post #430681
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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Jan 10, 2003

This is one thing I don't have to worry about (so far): I grow dwarf crape myrtle, and they usually die to the mulch every winter :) If not, I trim them in late March when the mulch is removed.

Post #446427
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