When should you prune a Crape Myrtle tree?

Prune a crepe myrtle tree at the end of winter or the beginning of spring. Flowers only emerge on new growth and early pruning stimulates the plant to send out new shoots.

Prune crepe myrtles a second time, after the spring flowers fade. This encourages more flowering and heavy pruning is usually not necessary.

To prune a crepe myrtle, remove branches that rub against or cross each other. Take out dead or diseased looking limbs. Remove the branches closest to the ground, if a tree shape is desired. Do not worry about removing seed heads, as the plant will drop them naturally and continue to bloom.