Question about Crape Myrtle freeze damage

During the freeze on Easter weekend, the all the foliage on my crape myrtle trees were burned by the frost. Two trees have already recovered and are leafing out again. I'm concerned about the thrid one in particular because the stems look all dried up and appear to be brittle. However, sucker shoots are coming up all around it. What should I do?

You might be better off to cut it to the ground and let one of the new shoots grow. With an established root system, it shouldn't take long before it reaches a good size again.

So the sucker shoots would turn into a tree too then?

Yes, they will form a new tree. Let about three of them grow if you want it multi stemmed, or choose one of you want a single stem tree.

I'm assuming these suckers are around the base of the trunk and not several feet away?

Yes they have come up directly at the base of the trunk. I'll let three grow into a muti trunk.

Thank you for your help.

Do you know what cultivar you have? I just find it hard to believe that frost that far south would kill a crepe myrtle to the ground.

- Brent

I'm not sure of the name, but do remember it had the word "red" in it. I watered this bed today and noticed that the naked stems are pinkish in color when wet except one that stays grayish like its dead. The suckers coming up are fine and healthy. I just hate to have to start all over with this tree since it's part of a match set with the one on the other side of the driveway. They both are about 4' and bloomed last year, the first yr planted.

I understand that since the suckers are coming up, the root system is alive and an option would be to cut down the dead stems and manicure the suckers into a new tree or multi-trunk. Everyday I look to see it there are any new sprouts. So far, none on this one.

Cordeledawg, Have you thought of using a sharp knife to slightly nick the base of the stems that concern you? If there is still green below the surface, you may still have life in the stems that concern you. Crape Myrtles sucker easily, so the new growth is the result of stress created by the late cold spell, or pruning. We were fortunate here, and my crape myrtles didn't suffer from the brief cold spell. I'm reluctant to cut back early. E-guy's suggestion would allow your shrub to look better more quickly. Wish you well.

I haven't thought of that. I think I'll widdle down little by little and see. Thank you. Thanks to all of you.