SSC Newsletter January 2019

Train Your Dragon Crape Myrtles If you are just doing annual pruning and the plant is in scale, the key to remember is Crape Myrtles bloom on new wood (current seasons growth): • Thin out all crossing limbs except main branches from base • Reduce size/ height of plant but cutting back knowing that up to 2’ of growth will occur the following year. • Thin out small limbs branches leaving just main branches – based on the number of base canes you should end up with 3 – 5 branches per cane at varying heights from 12” below desired height to 12” abovedesired height to make plant appear natural. • Once this is completed stand back and visualize plant to see if it meets objective of prune and is in scale with space and other plants.

If you are doing renovation pruning and to get it back into scale: • Determine completed size (height and width). • If there are more than 3 – 5 canes (looking for a balanced plant) visualize removal to that number starting with any that are crossing or rubbing creating cankers. • Now, once you visualize you can remove one at a time stepping back and inspecting appearance after removal and then visualize the next one to be removed. • Once the number of canes has been established by pruning out undesirables – lower height to pre-determined height, do

above desired height to make plant appear natural. • Follow step number 3 above in annual pruning.

And last but not least do not prune back to same nub every year; that is termed Crape Murder!

Would you like to contribute to next month’s newsletter? Please contact us

not flat top that looks hideous! But be in a range from 12” below desired height to 12”

with your idea! SSC Service Solutions PO Box 52370 Knoxville, TN 37950 865-673-4372 Contact@sscserv.com www.sscserv.com

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