Crepe Myrtle Under Stress

Question

Hello, we have 2 Crepe Myrtles near the street, they are not doing well and we have been trying to nurse them. This spring they have sprouted many suckers lower down on the trunks, should they be removed or will that add further stress to the trees. Thanks! Julie Denise 4042952424 [e-mail]

Answer 1

Crape Myrtles typically produce suckers every Spring from the base, some years more so than other years. If you wish to maintain the existing look with one or several trunks, you need to remove the suckers. If you wish to grow a CM as a bush instead of as a tree-form then let the suckers grow but… monitor their spread as the shrub will tend to get wider with time.