You can shorten a crepe myrtle through a method called “crape murder” avoidance pruning. But here’s the catch—you should never top it. Shortening a crepe myrtle the right way means cutting back long, leggy branches by one-third or less. If you’ve been wondering how to shorten a crepe myrtle without … Read more

You can root crepe myrtle trees easily from cuttings, and it’s one of the most rewarding ways to multiply these beautiful flowering plants.   Rooting crepe myrtle trees is a straightforward process that almost any gardener can master with a little patience and the right technique.   If you’ve ever … Read more

You can shape a crepe myrtle into a tree by selectively removing lower branches and suckers while encouraging a single strong central trunk. This process is one of the most rewarding ways to transform what often grows as a multi-stemmed shrub into an elegant, single-trunk specimen. If you’ve been wondering … Read more

You can revive a dying crepe myrtle by identifying the root cause of its decline and acting quickly with targeted care.   Whether your crepe myrtle is showing bare branches, peeling bark, or no new growth, it’s not always a lost cause.   Many gardeners face this exact problem, and … Read more

To revive a crepe myrtle, you need to assess the damage, prune away the dead growth, and give the tree the right care to encourage new shoots. It’s a common panic moment when you look at your crepe myrtle in early spring and see nothing but bare, brittle branches where … Read more

You can remove scale from crepe myrtle by identifying the pest early, applying horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and following up with consistent cultural care.   If you’ve noticed sticky honeydew on your crepe myrtle’s leaves, or black sooty mold coating the branches, you’re likely dealing with scale insects.   … Read more

You can remove lichen from crepe myrtle by using a combination of gentle scraping, a homemade cleaning solution, and consistent maintenance.   Lichen on crepe myrtle is a common sight, especially in humid climates, and it often worries homeowners who think it’s killing their tree.   The good news is … Read more

You can remove crepe myrtle stains from concrete with a few simple household ingredients and a little elbow grease.   These stubborn purple and dark red blotches come from the fallen blooms and berries of the crepe myrtle tree, and they love to sink deep into porous concrete.   But … Read more

To remove crepe myrtle roots, you’ll need a combination of digging, cutting, and sometimes chemical treatment depending on how large and established the root system has become.   Crepe myrtle roots are notoriously tough and fibrous, and they don’t give up easily once they’ve anchored themselves into your yard.   … Read more

You can remove black mold from crepe myrtle by pruning affected branches, improving airflow, and applying targeted treatments.   Black mold on crepe myrtle is almost always sooty mold, which grows on the sticky honeydew left behind by aphids or bark scale.   So the real key to removing black … Read more