Is my crepe myrtle dead or dormant?

Is my crepe myrtle dead or dormant?

Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle Compare the dead looking trees on the left to the scratched bark on the right.. Scratch the lower base of the stem and if it’s green it is still alive. If it’s not, it may still be alive, but you’ll have to wait awhile before you know for sure.

How do I bring my crepe myrtle back to life?

Cut off the dead top and let the shoots grow. They’ll grow faster than a congressman’s nose. Select 4-5 well-spaced ones to become the new main trunks and cut off the rest. Your crepe myrtle will grow back free-of-charge and may even bloom this summer.

What causes a crepe myrtle to die?

So, why did it die? The most likely answer is cold damage. I had noticed last summer that the plant didn’t look as healthy as it had in previous years. When temperatures drop below 10 degrees for any length of time, crape myrtle tends to die back down to the ground.

Will my crepe myrtle grow back?

Crape myrtle tree sizes can range anywhere from miniature trees starting at 18 inches to large trees reaching 30 feet tall. Renewal pruning, or cutting the tree’s base down to the ground, will allow the tree to have a fresh start, and it will rapidly grow back healthy and strong in two-three years.

What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle?

Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that’s the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.

Can crepe myrtle get too much water?

Crape Myrtle Water Requirements Crepe myrtle likes a medium amount of water and prefers consistently moist soils where it can get it. Be aware, however, that too much watering, especially if the soil is somewhat clayish and doesn’t drain well, can lead to root rot and other plant diseases.

How far back can you trim crepe myrtles?

Cut all the way back. I like branching to begin 6 to 8 feet off the ground because it looks better and is more practical. If you don’t need to walk under the branches or see through them to view oncoming traffic, you can allow the branching to start lower. Prune unwanted low branches all the way back to the main trunk.

How old is the oldest crepe myrtle?

Age records

Nr	Country	Age
1	Italy	131 ± 10 y