Collecting Crepe myrtles this time of year?

I was contact and was told there are two massive myrtles that they are getting rid from the front yard. They are pretty big and it's going to take some time to dig them up. The only thing I wondering about is has any one collected this time of year with success, as they'd need chopped low and the like, or a best plan of attack. If anything the only thing i'm out is some back breaking work.

my opinion is to wait on the big boys till spring. id be worried about a heavily trunk chopped tree not responding in the usual manner.

if you have to, i would collect without chopping and plant in the ground if either of those are an option. but actually crape myrtle is a southern tree I just realized, do they even go dormant? im not very familiar with them, if you have a green house, or room in your basement or something it might be fine. chop em, pot em, stick em in a grow tent on 12/12.

It would prob be best to wait till very late winter/ very early spring.

just.wing.it said:

It would prob be best to wait till very late winter/ very early spring.

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Thats the thing its either I get them now or a tractor does, I was just seeing if any one else had with success.

Do it! Dig em up, and baby them as best you can. @bonhe has some big crepes, maybe he can chime in!

Crepe Myrtles are some of the toughest trees out there. The wood is incredibly hard and they can be pruned ruthlessly. I would dig and chop them if they're going to be taken out anyway. Keep the roots from freezing and I'll bet they'll be fine. It's actually better to chop them a little earlier than most would think. If you wait until they show signs of budding they bleed a lot. You'll have to be patient for the budding to begin but when they do, hold on.

Giga said:

Thats the thing its either I get them now or a tractor does, I was just seeing if any one else had with success.

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Do it! They're tough!

Hi Giga,
The best time to remove the CM is in Spring when all the new leaves are well grown. But since you have no choice, this time of the year is OK, since it is dormant at this time and like Vin and just.wing.it stated, the CM is tough. It can survive even with the big cutting!
I can see we can chop the trunk as yellow lines.


If you want to dig these, you have to be prepared for a heavy work due to big hard roots to be chopped. Just use the axe to clear one side of one tree (A) first, then use ratcheting tie down strap connect tree A to tree B, then ratchet the strap. The tree A will be pulled over, it is easy for you to use the axe or saw to cut the root down in the base. You also can use the pick up truck to assist you in pull the tree over.
If you don't want to do yourself, you can ask the owner when the tractor will do its job, then you can come over on that day to get the tree without sweat! Some people will be glad that you take these pieces for them, otherwise they have to throw them any way. One time, I had to pay the guy $40 to do heavy work for me, but it's worth!
Good luck.
Bonhe

I will be getting these this weekend or at least looking at them and taking more pics - Now the question is where do I put them, I think the best would be some giant tubs with pumice and potting soil - something like @johng done with his - though protecting from frost may be an issue

Dig now and keep from freezing...spring will be here shortly, particularly for you.

Anyone got a recommendation for Giga on the root chop the plants will need? Do them now or replant in good media and do a year from now. Last big crepe I dug had leaves and I cut all but the surface roots of and they were shortened. Probably 90% of the roots went. Wasn't allot of roots but it lived. I had chopped the trunk the year before. These have slightly more upper tree that what I did. For an idea of the root ball you might find

How did the digging of the crape myrtle go?

Good find. I too want to know, how did it go?

didn't end up getting them, the guy was acting to shaddy for my taste so I decided to back out

Shady? Hows so? Just come packin' while you dig them up Wear a "Why guns are better than women" shirt like I would