Saturday, February 6, 2010

Stop Crape Murder..



Well, it is that time of year when the butchering of crape myrtles runs rampant. Many of these crimes are committed by so called "professional" landscape people who advise homeowners and businesses who don't know any better that this is a good idea. I took this photo at a local apartment complex. Someone had done this to all of the many crape myrtles in the complex.

This "topping" is totally unnecessary and ruins the shape of these beautiful trees. Every year my frustration grows when I see this all over town. Crape myrtles can be shaped up from the bottom by taking out small limbs and any suckers that start to grow. Other pruning should be confined to twigs smaller than a pencil in diameter.

Many varieties will grow into beautiful medium sized trees that bloom nearly all summer, love the heat, are drought tolerant and give much needed shade.

When choosing a crape myrtle for your landscape be sure you are getting a variety that will fit the space you have. Dwarf, intermediate, tall and weeping forms are available.

Crape myrtles are listed as hardy in zones 7 and 8.










1 comment:

Melanie J Watts said...

sounds like a lovely tree, too bad they are getting butchered.