Bargain Basement Crepe Myrtle

[Decoy Octopus]

I went to check a few nurseries today for discounted trees. I found a few decent Crepes and came away with this one for seven dollars.

It's about six feet tall currently. I'm not sure if a fall chop would be alright or if I should wait until spring. I've never worked with Crepes before but thought for seven dollars it was a pretty low risk purchase.

 

[j evans]

I don't about a chop right now but I think you got a barging. Good shopping!

 

[_#1_]

Very nice find man! Now if it can grow "broccoli foliage", this will me an amazing specimen.

 

[sorce]

I want to know how that pink thing got smaller in the zoomed pic....what the hell is that?

I'd keep the left trunk on till it's transitioned proper thick from the base and cut it back to its first bud there after.

Really good bargain!

Sorce

 

[_#1_]

Lol good observation @scorce. I didn't even notice it.

What about that long right branch? Should it be pulled outward a bit? Seemed kinda close to main trunk.

 

[sorce]

What about that long right branch?

I'd chop that off when the base is where Grackle wants it....maybe spring?

Cut the yellow when that branch is thick to other yellow, and hope for a bud a bit lower than the current one....

In here....

Sorce

 

[Decoy Octopus]

Haha, I think I had brushed away some of the top to get a better view of the roots and that's why the pink flower disintegrated.

Wow Sorce! I had a completely different idea for this tree, but you've definitely given me something to think about. . . I'll have to make some choices come spring. Thanks for the thoughts and input.

Here's what I initially had in mind.

It's about five inches tall where the cut on the skinny new trunk would be.

 

[Decoy Octopus]

In the initial thought I had I wasn't sure if the left and right branches would be kept at all. Still thinking. . .

 

[Decoy Octopus]

I think Sorce's virt would leave a slightly lesser ugly scar considering the thickening of the left branch would assist in its healing. My virt would probably leave a scar for a long time on the main trunk.

 

[Cypress187]

Is that water on the underside of the leaves, or invaders?

 

[Decoy Octopus]

Aphids!!!

I'm hoping the ladybugs eat 'em up. I've got about five of them on the tree doing work.

 

[TN_Jim]

@Grackle, any follow-up on this?

 

[Decoy Octopus]

It's still alive! It definitely isn't thriving though. I have not had much luck with crepe myrtles. All the growth is leggy and not very tiny tree looking. . . I'm sure it can be done, but I've decided to keep my focus on my maples and elms which seem to do the best for me.