Thank you.Wait and see those cuts will have a good bit of die back based on the large crepe myrtle I have. If you cut more now the chance is it will die back farther than you want. As it is that top left may die back in a way that will make work. Next time might want to leave the left larger branch 3 inches taller for a year or 2 till the trunk sent out branches. If you got some smaller branches sprouting on the trunk to keep it alive you would have more control of the die back. The right side will probably die back to the main trunk line. The die back will be pear shaped with the skinny end towards the ground.
Since the second growing season will end soon, I'm thinking about leaving it alone until spring.You now know how far a crepe myrtle will die back.
Once the new shoots have gotten woody enough that bumping them won't break them off you can go ahead and get in there and clean up the dead portions of the stubs you left behind.
Thank you!I would do #2 first, if any of those basal suckers gets too dominant it will draw vigor away from the main trunk, to the point where main trunk could be seriously weakened. Only leave a couple to maybe 3 of the smaller ones on the weak side of the nebari. Get rid of the strongest. Too many root suckers and you will risk the health of the main trunk.
I would also make sure all the surface roots are covered by at least 1/4/ to 1/2 inch by media. Exposed too soon they can dry out and die off. Keep them covered until they are significant in diameter or old enough to be less susceptible to drying off. You can expose them later, maybe 3 to 5 years from now, but for the time being keep the surface roots covered.
You can cut all the way back without any problem.Can I shave more of the cuts to improve the taper or should I leave the little bit I have on them for die back?
View attachment 210301
I've prune off all the basal suckers saved two. They will be trimmed this winter when the leaves drop. I think I know what the new leader would be. Is that too soon.I would do #2 first, if any of those basal suckers gets too dominant it will draw vigor away from the main trunk, to the point where main trunk could be seriously weakened. Only leave a couple to maybe 3 of the smaller ones on the weak side of the nebari. Get rid of the strongest. Too many root suckers and you will risk the health of the main trunk.
I would also make sure all the surface roots are covered by at least 1/4/ to 1/2 inch by media. Exposed too soon they can dry out and die off. Keep them covered until they are significant in diameter or old enough to be less susceptible to drying off. You can expose them later, maybe 3 to 5 years from now, but for the time being keep the surface roots covered.
how's this thang doing? looks really good. Would love to find a myrtle.I've prune off all the basal suckers saved two. They will be trimmed this winter when the leaves drop. I think I know what the new leader would be. Is that too soon.
View attachment 213762