Pruning Questions for 3 Year Old Crepe Myrtles

Question

I would like to know how to get my crepe myrtle trees in their best shape with correct pruning. I cannot seem to find any site that addresses the questions I have for my 3 year old trees. Both trees seem to have one branch that grows higher than the other branches. I am not clear on whether or not to trim them in length. I find a lot of info on trimming out extra branches, but never about trimming length. This spring when leaves began to come on my trees, they stopped about an inch or so from the tips of the branches. I felt the tips and they just seemed to snap off easily, like they were dead. The tree is growing beautiful leaves, but the tips did not seem to. Does removing the tips of these branches keep the trees from getting taller?

This will be their 3rd summer. They were to my knees after being put into the ground, now they tower over me. One branch on each tree is about 7 feet tall, the other branches about 5-1/2 to 6 feet. They are tall and willowy. Last summer when it rained, the blossoms broke one branch. They say to take off small new growths because they will never support the weight of a blossom. My other question is how do you get them to support the weight of blossoms if you keep taking off new growth?

Answer 1

You may trim the tree as needed to shape per your personal taste. These articles will help with pruning crepe myrtle: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/best-crepe-myrtle-pruning-time-when-to-prune-crepe-myrtle.htm , https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/pruning-crepe-myrtle-trees.htm