If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.

T O P I C     R E V I E W denisew This time of year brings people out of their homes with pruning tools in hand. They're headed out to commit "crape murder." You know what I mean. You've seen it in your neighborhood - those tree trunks with their tops missing! All I want to say is refrain from this action. If you feel you need to prune your crape myrtle, don't prune anything larger than a pencil. Pruning does not encourage larger or more blooms. When these small trees are chopped down to their trunks, the new growth is weak and breaks easily in high winds. Besides, it doesn't look very good. If you take a look at Neil Sperry's site - http://www.neilsperry.com/2003_site/crape_myrtle_pruning.html - there is an article about Neil NOT pruning his crape myrtle at all. As a matter of fact, they really don't need pruning. If your crape myrtle is too big for the site, then move it and replace it with a smaller variety. Now is a great time to transplant your crape myrtle too. If you have already butchered your tree, then cut it down to the ground and let it regrow to a natural form. [This message has been edited by denisew (edited January 07, 2003).]