Professional Service
Crepe Myrtle Pruning in Huntsville & Madison, AL
Selective pruning in late winter that keeps the natural shape of the tree. We do not top crepe myrtles.
Overview
Crepe myrtle pruning is selective thinning done in late winter, while the tree is dormant. We remove suckers, dead wood, and crossing or inward-growing branches, and lift the lower limbs where they are in the way. We do not cut the trunks back to stubs. That practice, often called crepe murder, weakens the tree and ruins its shape.
North Alabama note: Crepe myrtles grow in nearly every neighborhood in Huntsville and Madison, and many are topped every winter out of habit. They do not need it. Left in their natural form, they bloom from early summer into fall and show off their bark all winter.
What’s included
- Pruned in late winter, before new growth starts
- Suckers removed from the base and trunks
- Dead, crossing, and rubbing branches taken out
- Lower limbs lifted to clear walks, drives, and roof lines
- Trunks and main branches left at full height, never topped
- Branches and clippings hauled away
Simple Steps
How it works
No confusion, no delays. Just simple, dependable service from your first call to a finished yard.
What do you need?
- Basic Lawn Care
- Flower Bed Design
- Mulch Installation
Your free estimate
No obligation- Tailored to your lawn
- Clear, honest pricing
- Flexible scheduling
“Olympic did fantastic work. Arrived when promised and delivered exactly what I requested.”
Jon · Huntsville, AL
Good to Know
Crepe Myrtle Pruning: Frequently Asked Questions
When should crepe myrtles be pruned?
Once a year, in late winter. Around Huntsville that is February into early March, while the tree is bare and before new growth starts. Crepe myrtles bloom on new growth, so late-winter pruning does not cost any flowers. Fall pruning is not recommended, because it can push tender growth that the cold then damages.
What is crepe murder?
It is the habit of cutting every trunk back to the same height each year, leaving thick stubs. The tree answers with a cluster of thin, whip-like shoots from each stub. Those shoots are weakly attached, bend under the weight of the blooms, and build knobby knuckles over time. Topping also hides the smooth, peeling bark that makes the tree worth looking at in winter.
Does a crepe myrtle need pruning to bloom?
No. A crepe myrtle in full sun blooms well with little or no pruning. We prune to keep the structure open and clean, to remove suckers, and to keep branches off walks, driveways, and the house.
My crepe myrtle has been topped for years. Can it be fixed?
Usually, yes, but it takes a few seasons. We pick the strongest one or two shoots from each cut point, remove the rest, and let those grow on as the new branches. Badly knuckled trees can also be cut to the ground in late winter and retrained from new shoots.
What if the tree is too big for where it is planted?
Topping does not solve that, because the tree grows back to the same height within a season or two. If a crepe myrtle has outgrown its spot, the lasting fix is to replace it with a variety that matures at the size you want. Crepe myrtles come in sizes from three feet to over thirty.
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Let’s make your yard the best on the block.
Get a free, no-obligation estimate today. We serve homes and businesses in Huntsville, Madison, Owens Cross Roads, Meridianville, and Hampton Cove.