Bookmark this page and check back often for tree care tips.
It's a familiar scene in North Texas landscapes. Somebody in the front yard with a pair of loppers decapitated 'Ms. Myrtle'.
Possible motives?
Family history- "Dad always did it that way."
Envy- "But the Jones do that every year."
Vanity- "They flower more, right?"
Greed- "It will give the crew something to do."
Napoleon Complex- "They are too tall."
With the exception of the last one, none of these motives are legitimate causes for crapemurder.
Surveys of landscape professionals indicate that most people prefer more natural pruning that enhances the natural growth habit of the tree. Sorry, Dad.
In addition, studies show that unpruned crapemyrtles tend to have more, albeit smaller, blooms. Heavily pruned trees have larger blooms but fewer of them.
If the crapemyrtle is too big for the location, please have the decency to make it a quick death. Then visit this Texas A&M Crapemyrtle website for suggestions on varities that won't grow too big for the site where you want them.
