Crape myrtles cut back to bare stumps every year aren't getting any healthier for it.
Topping, often called crape murder, is common all over Houston, but it weakens the plant. Each hard cut triggers clusters of thin, weak shoots that bend or snap under heavy blooms, and the knobby stubs left behind become entry points for decay and pests.
A better approach is selective pruning in late winter. Remove crossing branches, suckers at the base, and dead wood, then thin the interior so light and air move through. The natural vase shape stays intact, and blooms still come in strong. Done right, a crape myrtle develops smooth, sculptural trunks that look great even in winter.
If a crape myrtle has outgrown its space, it may be time to think about a different spot or a variety that fits. Planning ahead now means the pruning gets done right when the season comes.
#CrapeMyrtle #TreePruning #HoustonTX #Landscaping #TreeCare
A side-by-side of a topped crape myrtle with knobby stubs and a properly pruned one with a natural vase shape. Real Houston yard photos preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Stop Crape Murder" or "Prune Crape Myrtles the Right Way"