02/26/2026
Put down the chainsaw and pick up the hand-held loppers!
Crape myrtles are popular for their low-maintenance beauty, but they can benefit from some light pruning this time of year -- January to early March!
Crape myrtles that are only pruned to remove suckers (small sprouts that grow from the roots and main branches) and dead, broken, or diseased branches will grow into their natural shape. If you want to maintain a natural shape, do not drastically reduce them every year.
Topping removes all the upper branches. Many people prefer this look, and crape myrtles can survive topping. However, this severe method of pruning results in a disproportionate tree, can shorten the life of your crape myrtle, and will reduce its overall flowering.
You don’t have to prune crape myrtles drastically to have them fit in your landscape. Crape myrtles come in a variety of sizes, from miniature shrubs to 30-feet-tall trees. (Major pruning is not required if you select the right cultivar for your space!!)
For more detailed information about pruning, cultivar selection, and a list of recommended cultivars of all shapes, sizes, and colors for Mississippi, check out this Extension publication: https://ow.ly/ZcJa50Yj7CY
For those interested in native tree options, here's a great Extension publication you might be interested in: https://ow.ly/jBRF50Yj7CX
