Don’t commit 'crape murder'

Traditionally, many crapemyrtles are routinely topped, leaving large branch and stem stubs. This practice has been called “crape murder” because of the potential impacts on the crapemyrtle health and structural integrity.

Topping is the drastic removal of large-diameter wood (typically several years old), with the result of shortening all stems and branches.

Hard pruning (topping) stimulates crapemyrtle sprouting from roots, upper stems or the base of main stems. If basal and root sprouts are not removed, one or more may form woody stems that eventually compete with existing main stems. These additional or competing stems may result in poor form and structure, such as stems that rub against each other.

Topping typically delays flowering up to one month, compared to unpruned crapemyrtle. On some cultivars, topping also shortens the season of bloom. Long-stem sprouts emerge just below large-diameter cuts that result from topping. These sprouts usually develop into upright, unbranched stems that eventually flower, often bending under their own weight. Rain or wind storms can cause extreme bending and some will break because they are weakly attached to the main stem.

Topping removes large amounts of starches and other food reserves stored within branches. Topping dramatically reduces the size of the plant canopy, ultimately decreasing the plant’s ability to produce food (starches) through photosynthesis.

The large branch stubs caused by topping result in large areas of exposed wood that allow access by insects and wood-rotting organisms, weakening the plant’s structure. Finally, topping results in many dead stubs throughout the tree.

Proper pruning may be needed, just like with any other tree. Lower limbs of crapemyrtle are removed to increase clearance for pedestrians or vehicles. Stems are cut to increase branching. Other pruning may be conducted to direct growth away from structures, stimulate flowering and remove spent flowers, seed capsules, and dead or damaged branches and twigs.

Properly placed crapemyrtle is a low-maintenance plant needing little or no pruning. Problems with overgrown, misshapen or misplaced crapemyrtle can be greatly reduced with proper selection of crapemyrtle cultivars, proper plant selection at the nursery and proper placement in the landscape. Go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg266 for more information on cultivar selection.

If pruning is necessary, use these recommendations:

•Pruning for safety may be done any time. This may involve removing damaged or weak branches or pruning lower limbs for pedestrian and vehicle clearance and visibility.

•Pruning to improve plant structure, redirect growth or alter plant shape and appearance should occur when plants are leafless and dormant — typically December through February. Although this can be accomplished at any time, without leaves, the branching structure is clearly visible to more easily determine appropriate branches for pruning.

•Prune to remove crossing or rubbing branches.

•Prune dead, damaged or diseased branches at the branch collar.

•Remove vigorous branches growing toward the center of the canopy.

•Severe pruning should be performed late in the dormant period. Pruning too early might stimulate new growth that could be damaged by low temperatures.

Sheila Dunning is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Don’t commit 'crape murder'