My crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) has bareness and suckers at the base. How do I care for it?
The crape myrtle, which had been beautiful for about 8 years, now has a problem. There are several branches, which have leaves (mostly around the top) but the majority of the tree is bare. There are several shoots coming up from the base of the tree which I have not cut back. My inclination is to have the tree cut back and wait for next year, but I am nervous to do something that drastic.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
Answer
Crape Myrtle is hardy to zone 7 and may die back to the ground in winter in zones lower than 7. That appears to be what happened to your tree. Cutting it down to the ground is the only remedy if it doesn't leaf out in the spring. You can grow the resulting plant as a shrub or a tree. Select a few of the new shoots and remove the remaining shoots. It may take a number of years before it returns to its past condition. Also, you can encounter more bad winters and experience the same set back in the spring.