Problems with my new Crape Myrtle Tree...

Discussion in 'Trees, Shrubs and Roses' started by Jruggiero, May 23, 2010.

  1. Jruggiero

    Jruggiero New Seed

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    Hello, I am new to this forum. I hope someone can help. My husband and I just recently bought a crape myrtle. It was delivered aprox. 6 feet tall. I did a lot of research on how to prune the tree before I planted it. I know that many crape myrtles have more than one trunk, but you can train it to only grow one. That is what I am trying to do. I followed the instructions I was given (to find the most healthy trunk and cut away the others. ( I cut away 2 weaker trunks). My husband planted the tree. The tree has gotten taller, but the leaves seem to be turning brown. I do not see new growth on the tree. Did i kill the tree when I trimmed the two trunks back? Should I fertilize the tree? the tree gets watered when the lawn gets watered. Should I trim the brown leaves back to promote new growth? I really hope I did not kill my tree, and if i did harm the tree is there any way I can fix it?
     
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  3. bullthistle

    bullthistle New Seed

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    You didn't kill it but you should probably have waited until fall but that said if you wanted a single truck why didn't you look harder. A couple of things. It could be in a windy location drying out the leaves and depending on when you water, hopefully in the evening, it could be getting too much water. You should have planted it higher then ground level so some of the water would have drained off but you can do that in the fall as well. Do not prune any more now.
     
  4. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    I have Crape Myrtles everywhere here in Texas.I think its one of the toughest trees .I thought I had lost one that I planted year before last .It looked like a tall dead stick but finally I noticed new growth at the base of the plant.Its now blooming.It was bought with one trunk.I never trim a tree this late in the year so I'm not sure how it would work in New York.
     

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