Q.Crepe Myrtle Sprouting From Soil, Not Stems
Our winter season had has one prolonged freeze of 3-4. days. My crepe Myrtle established trees are beginning to sprout new growth in the branches, but my young crepe Myrtle has only sprouted from the base. Last summer this youngster grew prolifically so I was surprised to see no new budding happening in the branches. It stands 6 feet tall. The ends of the branches do not appear alive. Should I nip back this baby beauty? Or should I be more patient? A drip line is at the base for daily moisture.
It does not look promising. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, spring arrived early and the ones by Hurst are all leafing out by now. That being said, the latest I have observed is CM leafing out by May so feel free to wait a little more. I did almost lose a large specimen 1-2 years ago but I suspect it may have done better if I had watered the night after sustained, warm temperatures crashed much below freezing. I suggest you consider the same. I eventually cut it down and it has slowly grown back from the suckers.
