Late winter (February to March) is a good time to prune many trees and shrubs in eastern North Carolina and many gardeners are considering pruning their crape myrtles. While crape myrtles, like many woody plants, benefit from judicious pruning to improve air circulation and remove crossing branches, you will see many that have simply been topped. Many crape myrtles are cut back to bare trunks in the belief that this will yield more flowers. In reality this type of severe pruning results in a shorter bloom time, delayed flowering, weaker branching, and can increase insect and disease problems. This practice, although common, is harmful and is not the right way to prune a crape myrtle. Unfortunately, this technique is so ubiquitous that many people think it is the right way to prune crape myrtles and simply follow the lead of their neighbors.
Before making any pruning cuts, consider why you want to prune your crape myrtle to begin with. This is a helpful publication from NC State Extension on why pruning is done:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/before-the-cut
If you have questions about pruning specific trees, contact your local Extension office and speak with the horticulture agent or Extension Master Gardener Volunteers.
