Q&A – Can I cut back my crape myrtle to make it a bush?

Question:
Can I cut back my crape myrtle to make it a bush?
​​
Answer:
You can, but it may look strange. Dale Skaggs, Director of Horticulture at Dixon Gallery and Gardens says doing this destroys the natural look of the plant. If you want to prune it, he recommends cutting entire branches at the ground. He recommends planting the correct sized plant for what you want it to do.
​
Related Videos:
Pruning (Not Murdering) Crape Myrtles
Crape Myrtles
Treating Crape Myrtle Bark Scale

Related Resources:
Crape Myrtle Culture
Crapemyrtle - Flower of the South