How do I stop Crepe Myrtle trees from growing?
Question:My pool is surrounded by Crepe Myrtle trees. They were very tall. I cut them back waste high. They shot up very tall again. I'm talking 14 ft. high or more. I have cut them back 4 times now. They grow like they are on steroids. I want to stop them from growing. Is this possible without removing the bushes completely? Is there something that will kill the growth permanently? I just cut them back again 2 weeks ago. They are growing like they're on steroids. Is there anything to stop this?
Answers:
yep.. cut them down. Crepes are VERY fast growing.. they're great for visual screening..
there's nothing you cando to keep them from growing.. sorry.
You have mature trees with large root systems. When you cut them back, the roots provide the energy for rapid growth. You can try reducing the water, but chances are you'll need to continue pruning frequently to keep them at the size you desire. You might want to start over with some shrubs are trees that don't grow so large. Good luck.
Cut them way back and when new growth appears, apply Roundup.
There is an old method from New England to stop the vertical growth in trees. Carefully cut a band of bark from the tree about 4" wide all around the main trunk. Then put the bark back on the tree upside down. It can be held in place with some moss and string. This will slow the tree down and should be effective for a few years. My Dad did this to a Red Maple and it worked! Good luck-----
Crape Myrtles grow very fast, you can't do anything about that. Cut them back to about 3 feet high so you can more easily prune them in the future.
-Doug
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