Should crepe myrtles be mulched
Put a good bit of mulch around the plant. This will help retain moisture and heat during the coldest winter months. Pine Bark or Cypress mulch is best.
Keep the mulch about 6 inches away from the trunk.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-care.htm
I live In Alabama, I pruned my crepe myrtles as usual in the winter, had some guys cutting and pruning things in my yard and they cut back some of the new growth of the crepe myrtles, they didn't cut them to the ground just topped them. Will they continue to grow and bloom ?????
We do not recommend topping your Crepe Myrtles.
This was a common practice many years ago and it is hard to break habits!
Topping causes the tree to send out new growth that is weak and does not hold up well under its own weight.
Topping will also delay blooms 4 to 8 weeks.
Knuckles can form at the prune cuts and are very unattractive.
This article has correct pruning information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/pruning-crepe-myrtle-trees.htm
my aunt planted a crepe myrtle. The one we planted has grown up tall; hers on the other hand, has grown like a bush? How did this happen and is there a way to fix this?
Some cultivars are more like a shrub, while others are like a tree. It is preferred to treat them like a tree for a better looking plant,and healthy plant keeping all undergrowth pruned away.
If you cut the tops off each year they will grow into a shrub, but this comes with its downfalls as well. They are susceptible to infections from lack of airflow when they are short.
This collection of articles will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle
part of the tree is blooming. Does anyone know why and what I can do? It is at least 15 feet tall and has purple flowers.
If it does not get fertilized each year, then you may want to do this. Pruning correctly is a must, as well.
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-not-blooming.htm
I have had my crepe myrtle for approx. 8 yrs. I have always severely pruned it to keep it from becoming too large a tree. It always came back beautifully. This year, it is the middle of June and there is no sign of any life. What did I do??
Severe pruning can be detrimental to tree health, But there are other possible factors. Look to the growing conditions and water management. Was there any soil/root disturbance, trenching, sewer repair, compaction. drought stress, bark damage at the base of the tree from lawn mower or string trimmer?
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/sudden-tree-death-causes.htm
The "muskogee" genus of crepe myrtle is listed as marginal in hardy zone 6. If it dies back every year, will I ever see flowers?
Even dying back to the ground every year, you should see blooms. These bloom on new growth, so at some point during the Spring and Summer you should see blooms.
If not, then you may want to look at the fertility of your soil.
This article will help you to grow these shrubs, but you may not need some of the information since they die back every year: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/crepe-myrtle/crepe-myrtle-care.htm
I have a large crape myrtle tree that has a limb ( 5" in diameter ) that has a hole in the bottom and one about 5ft above it. The section in between is hollowed out. I have filled the bottom whole with concrete and I need to know if I should just fill the hole at the top or fill the complete voided area from the top hole to the bottom hole? Thanks Pat
Filling cavities with concrete is an obsolete practice in arboriculture. Research since the 1970s and a long record of experience has shown that there is no advantage for structural integrity or physiological reasons, it won't strengthen the limb, and it won't promote healing. If the outer shell wall is very thin and you fear breakage, there are other ways to strengthen the area or restrict movement of the limb that might precipitate a break. Arborists sometimes use bolting and cabling, and in rare occasions, mostly for aesthetic reasons, use aerosol expanding roofing foam to fill a cavity. This material will bulge out as it expands and dries, but you can shape it with a knife and paint it to blend.