Crape Myrtle maintenance

[Manalto]

In the summer of '23, I planted four 'Natchez' along the tree belt (why I waited so long is cause for self flagellation) and wanted to let them grow naturally for a year in order to get established and put on some growth. Now I've decided to begin shaping them so they don't obstruct the sidewalk, so mowing can occur underneath, and so I can enjoy the bark as they grow. Typical of my habit of reading the directions after I've already done the assembly, I'm late asking if this is the proper maintenance for crape myrtles!

Along with pruning, I've weeded, applied an all-purpose 13-13-13 fertilizer, and refreshed the pine straw mulch. Temperatures here have been unusually mild for February; today it was 80°F and the forecast calls for daytime temperatures in the 70s for the upcoming week.

Contrary to the 30% rule of pruning, in taking off the lower branches, I probably removed closer to 50% of plant material in creating this shape. I figured that since it's not photosynthesizing, it will leaf out above rather than below, and Myrtle will be none the wiser.

[happypalms]

54 minutes ago, Manalto said:

In the summer of '23, I planted four 'Natchez' along the tree belt (why I waited so long is cause for self flagellation) and wanted to let them grow naturally for a year in order to get established and put on some growth. Now I've decided to begin shaping them so they don't obstruct the sidewalk, so mowing can occur underneath, and so I can enjoy the bark as they grow. Typical of my habit of reading the directions after I've already done the assembly, I'm late asking if this is the proper maintenance for crape myrtles!

Along with pruning, I've weeded, applied an all-purpose 13-13-13 fertilizer, and refreshed the pine straw mulch. Temperatures here have been unusually mild for February; today it was 80°F and the forecast calls for daytime temperatures in the 70s for the upcoming week.

Contrary to the 30% rule of pruning, in taking off the lower branches, I probably removed closer to 50% of plant material in creating this shape. I figured that since it's not photosynthesizing, it will leaf out above rather than below, and Myrtle will be none the wiser.

Looks good to me and iam a horticulturalist so your on the money. Another way you can go about crepe mrtyle a complete cutback right down to the ground if there is a substantial root system, or at any height you prefer just hack em back as much as you like.