red-black diamond crape myrtle

Question

I purchased a Red-black Diamond crape myrtle early fall. I followed the planting directions. This spring it looked like it had died. I did not touch the tree. Suddenly, it started growing shoots up from the ground. The old branches never got any leaves. What happened to this tree and is it going to be OK?

Answer 1

It's likely the Crepe Myrtle was damaged by the long harsh winter that most of the United States suffered.
It must have died back to the roots.

You can let the shoots grow up and when they reach a good size, trim them back to 3 to 5 good sturdy branches.
Then you can start shaping up the plant.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/pruning-crepe-myrtle-trees.htm