'Natchez' crape myrtle

[Manalto]

 

When this town was incorporated in 1918, crape myrtles were planted along the tree belt throughout the neighborhood. Some of the (presumably) original trees remain, but many have disappeared. Although 'Natchez' didn't become commercially available until 60 years later, (released by The National Arboretum in 1978) I thought it would be a good choice for in front of my house, to shade the sidewalk. These four were only planted a year ago; I'm really pleased with their speed of growth and flower production in such a short time.

They're staked because early this spring when they were much more supple and probably not completely rooted in, a windstorm put them at a most unattractive 45° angle. Any suggestions as to when the stakes should come off? I was thinking of waiting until spring.

[happypalms]

There a wonderful tree that take a fair bit of cold weather they where planted in the past now you see great big ones around the old farm houses.