Every year we see this horrifying site around Houston.  It’s CRAPE MURDER. The crime is sawing off the limbs of crape myrtles. This method of pruning creates weak wooded new growth, and I believe a playground for aphids once that new growth sprouts on the stubs.

Kathy Huber has some helpful tips on HoustonGrows about how to prune crape myrtles. Shown below is a beautiful crape myrtle in my neighborhood. The owner has let this crape grow into a stunning tree. I’ll be sure to post a  photo this summer when it is in bloom. I believe it is pink.