Michael Womack
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Saturday, October 30, 1999

Prune tree with care, not by 'topping'

Also: Dwarf oleander threatens window view

 

Q.When is the best time to trim crape myrtles? Mine are now dropping leaves.
   A.Crape myrtles are typically trimmed in the winter while they are dormant. The common misconception is that you are supposed to trim the back to the same spot you did last year for better growth. People forget that crape myrtles are small ornamental trees and need to be trimmed like any tree. Don't top them. Although it was a common practice in the past, the branches produced are weakly attached to the main trunk and may break in high winds. Typically, all you need to do is remove any unsightly seed pods at the ends of branches.
   Next, look at the overall shape of the tree. Work at creating a strong, internal branching structure. Remove low branches that detract from the shape of the plant. Also look for crossing branches that may be rubbing together; they should be removed to prevent damage and a site for disease and insect attack. Suckers should also be removed to promote growth at the top of the tree; sucker removal can be done at anytime throughout the year.
   If you trim your crape myrtles properly, you will have a well-shaped, strong and vigorously blooming tree next summer.
   Q.My dwarf oleanders are getting out of control. They were planted in front of some windows at the front of my house and I can't seem to keep them in check. Can you give me some advice on trimming them back and how to control the height?
   A.One of the common misconceptions is that "dwarf" oleanders will stay about 2-3 feet tall due to the name. Dwarf is a relative term. A hardy oleander will grow to be 18 feet high or more. Most dwarf varieties mature at a height of 6-8 feet depending on variety.
   If you want to keep it under 3 feet, good luck. It sounds like you have the wrong plant for that area. You should look at the mature size of plants before planting them and use plants that will not grow taller or wider than the space available. Read the plant labels and the information cards at the nurseries. If you don't find the information there, ask a Certified Nursery Professional; they'll be more than happy to answer your questions. That's their job. In terms of when to cut your oleander, I'd wait until late February or early March. Trimming any tropical plants including oleanders, bougainvillea, hibiscus, esperanza, etc. will promote tender new growth that will be susceptible to freeze damage. In the spring, you can cut them back.
   Since these oleanders are a constant annoyance to keep the desired size, I'd also recommend moving them in late February and replacing them with something that will only grow to the size you want there. Don't keep fighting a losing battle. Changing out plants will not only alleviate your constant pruning frustration, but it will ultimately make you enjoy your landscape more by having a design that meets your expectations without excessive maintenance.
   Q.There are hundreds of little live oak seedlings growing under my trees. I don't know what to do. Is there something I can spray to get rid of them?
   A.Although many live oaks may spring up from fallen acorns, the majority of your small trees are likely to be suckers from the shallow root system of the oaks. They are actually attached to the large oaks at the roots. If you poison the suckers, you poison the parent tree as well.
   The best line of defense is simply to mow them over. If you have a thick grass in the area, you probably won't notice them. Unfortunately, with most large live oaks comes a dense canopy and excessive shading that makes a healthy stand of turf difficult to maintain. That is one reason that we often recommend using groundcovers in theses shady areas, especially if it is not a heavy traffic area. One of the best is Asian jasmine. Once established, it will produce a thick cover of dark green foliage that only needs trimming a few times a year. When you use your weedeater to keep the jasmine in control, you'll also knock down any live oak suckers. They'll hide away in the jasmine, and no one will be the wiser.
  
  

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