Here's an update on this one. I decided to remove the cascading branch in order to rework it with a side branch into less of a "pine" shape cascade ....I know...I know.... don't raz me too hard LOL
Great crape Ryan, I noticed the leaves were cut in half, is that to train the leaves to grow smaller or to give the apearance of small leaves untill one can train the tree to grow small leaves. I've heard the cut leaves will actualy heal into smaller leaves. Does it really work, if it does I'll train my crapes in the same manner.
It has not escaped my attention that once again a florida dweller has mentioned: "this years new growth" Only 2/3 of my trees have broken bud yet. Can we tone it down on all the new growth crap?
Great crape Ryan, I noticed the leaves were cut in half, is that to train the leaves to grow smaller or to give the apearance of small leaves untill one can train the tree to grow small leaves. I've heard the cut leaves will actualy heal into smaller leaves. Does it really work, if it does I'll train my crapes in the same manner.
Cutting the leaves in half is supposed to be the "kinder" method to defoliating completely. Both methods are supposed to produce smaller leaves but I've had mixed results when it comes to cutting the leaves in half. Crape myrtles are very strong trees and as long as it is healthy you can defoliate the whole thing without any issues.
Thanks for the compliment! The cut leaves were from last year...the latest pics show the size of the leaves this year and the tree in its current state. I have a feeling they are going to stay pretty small and I won't need to cut the leaves or defoliate this year.