When To Transplant Crape Myrtle

When to transplant crape myrtle

The best time to transplant your Crape Myrtle is when the tree is dormant. This may occur during late fall, winter, or early spring, depending on where you live. Once the Crape Myrtle loses all its leaves and becomes just bare limbs, it will be time to make the move.

How do you dig up and transplant a crepe myrtle?

With a Spade Shovel or Transplanter, dig around the base off the plant at least 3 inches from the base of the stem - for larger plants start 6 to 10 inches from the bases, going slowly so that you don't damage the root zone. Dig out further if you hit roots. Try to keep the root ball intact.

How often do you water a transplanted crepe myrtle?

Water For Crape Myrtle During the first year, the tree is considered newly established, meaning it is very critical for your plant to be watered. On light/sandy soil water 2x a week, but on clay soil 1x a week will do.

Should crepe myrtles be cut back in the fall?

Generally, crape myrtles in the fall should be left to grow. A rule of green thumb: The ideal time to prune will be late winter, February or March; however, you can wait until April to prune your crape myrtle if you live in milder growing zones.

Should crepe myrtles be cut back in winter?

Late winter is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle because it's leafless, and you can easily see all the branches. It also blooms on new growth, so pruning in winter won't reduce blooming; it may increase it.

Is it better to transplant shrubs in the fall or spring?

1 For most trees and shrubs, late winter or early spring is the best time for transplanting. Fall is the second-best time. However, trees and shrubs with thick, fleshy roots often don't react well to transplanting in the fall.

What time of day is best to transplant?

Best time of day to transplant is early in the morning, late in the afternoon or on a cloudy day. This will allow the plants to settle in out of direct sunlight.

Is it better to transplant shrubs in fall or spring?

In many parts of the country, trees and shrubs can be transplanted all year, but no matter where you live, fall is the very best time. The cool air and warm soil temperatures are the perfect combination for establishment.

Should you put mulch around crepe myrtles?

When planting crape myrtles, gardeners should install a layer of mulch about 3 to 5 inches deep in an area twice as large as the planting hole. Insect damage is a frequent problem on crape myrtles and aphids cause much of that damage.

Where is the best place to plant crepe myrtle?

The site should be in the bright, hot sun: full or partial sun (6hrs min). No heavy shade for Crape Myrtles. If the site gets sun for part of the day then it's fine. But they do best in Full, Hot Sun.

How deep do crepe myrtle roots go?

A crape myrtle tree lacks a taproot; instead, it has fibrous roots 10 to 12 inches deep.

Can I prune my crape myrtle in October?

Crape myrtles bloom on new growth, so prune them in early spring before they break dormancy. Although some gardeners prune their crape myrtles in the fall, I do not recommend doing this.

Can I cut back crepe myrtle in October?

It is not unusual to see pruning on these popular plants being done in August, September and October although any pruning, when necessary, should not be done until winter. Crape myrtles need only occasional pruning, in most cases, to obtain the desired landscape effect.

How do you winterize a crape myrtle?

It is advisable to wrap young (1 year or less) and small Crepe Myrtle trees. Wrap burlap around the branches and then add an insulating filler such as leaves or straw to provide additional protection. Use bush jackets for dwarf plants. Bush jackets are reusable insulating covers that cover the plant.

Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?

Unfortunately you must cut the tree completely to the ground, and don't be surprised when it grows back VERY quickly. The next winter, select three to five well-spaced trunks, and cut off any others at ground level.

Can I prune my crepe myrtles in November?

Only the new growth each year is what produces those lovely blooms that you admire each spring and summer. So with that being said, it pays to prune your Crape Myrtles in the winter months as soon as November at as late at March when they are dormant.

How far down can you cut crepe myrtles?

Chances are good for cuts up to about two inches. Unfortunately, not all Crape myrtles can be saved and sometimes, it's best to start over. Your Crape myrtle should not look like an amputee in the winter.

Is it OK to transplant in the fall?

The best time of the year to transplant trees and plants is autumn. This is because of cool temperatures and warm moist soil. Plants also require less energy as they begin to enter the early stages of dormancy. They are no longer focusing on above ground growth.

How late in the fall can you transplant shrubs?

Root Pruning To keep most of the roots within a small area, root prune in the spring or fall before transplanting. Plants to be moved in the fall (October or November) should be root pruned in March, and those to be moved in spring (March) should be root pruned in October.

When can you transplant in the fall?

Transplant three to four weeks before the ground freezes. Allow time for the roots to establish and not be heaved out during winters freezing and thawing weather. “Also allow the plants to become established before fertilizing. If they have been moved in the fall, fertilize the next spring.