There are many conflicting opinions about the nature of Crape Myrtles. Sure, they can grow 30+ feet tall, but they also can have more than one trunk. So, are these blooming beauties trees or shrubs? And how do you shape them to look the way you want?
Crape Myrtles are known as flowering trees, but they grow in a variety of shapes and sizes. Miniature Crapes may only be a few feet tall, looking more like a shrub. There are 50+ species of Crape Myrtle trees and shrubs alike, so the mature appearance will mainly depend on your pruning and training.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of Crape Myrtles and explain why they’re sometimes referred to as trees and sometimes called bushes or shrubs. We’ll also teach you how to train your Crape Myrtle to have a shrub-like appearance if you have a miniature or dwarf variety and discuss the best practices for the standard tree shape.
Is a Crape Myrtle a Bush or a Tree?
Crape Myrtles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so many people wonder if these blooming beauties are actually bushes or shrubs versus trees. In some cases, the differences are subtle, but standard Crape Myrtles typically fall into the tree category.
Smaller varieties like dwarf Crape Myrtles are short, stubby, and sometimes even used as ground cover. These miniature varieties are more commonly referred to as shrubs or bushes than trees, even though they’re still technically Crape Myrtles.
Is Crape Myrtle an Ornamental Tree?
According to Cornell University, a tree is a “woody, perennial plant with one central stem.” However, we know that Crape Myrtles can have one trunk or several. So, what gives?
Even though Crape Myrtles may have multiple trunks, they still typically have a head or canopy. So, the growth is normally unlike shrubs or bushes that have multiple stems with growth starting right at ground level. Still, Crape Myrtles aren’t exactly like your standard mighty Oak tree, either.
These ornamental trees can be trained to grow into a variety of shapes; whether you like the look of multiple trunks or one single thick trunk, there’s a Crape Myrtle for you.
Dwarf or miniature Crape Myrtles are another story. These are the plants that look most like bushes or shrubs and not so much like trees. Still, the largest varieties of Crape Myrtle may be 25 to 30 feet tall. And Crapes can live well up to 100 years or more, so they share a lot of characteristics with what you’d expect from a tree.
Can You Train a Crape Myrtle to Look Like a Shrub?
To have a Crape Myrtle bush or shrub, it’s important to start by planting the right size variety. To achieve this look, you probably want to go with a small Crape Myrtle that won’t grow too tall for a managed shrub appearance.
The best Crape Myrtle for a bushy look is a miniature or dwarf variety. However, you can still get a medium-sized Crape and train it to grow with a multi-stemmed appearance. While it won’t necessarily be confused for a true shrub, it will be a variation from a standard single-trunk tree.
The best kinds for the shrub shape are those which grow to six feet tall or less. They’re the best for borders, containers, or even ground cover plants.
Examples include Cherry Dazzle, Pixie White, and New Orleans varieties. These are in the under six foot range and grow in a mounding shape, making it easier to trim the limbs into a shrubby appearance.
When to Prune a Crape Myrtle Shrub
Your miniature or dwarf Crape Myrtle doesn’t necessarily need pruning – just like its taller relatives. Still, if you choose to do a little trimming, do it no more than once per year. These miniature versions normally grow at a slower rate and require less maintenance than the larger varieties.
You should prune your dwarf Crape in late winter to early spring, just before it starts to leaf out. During dormancy is the best time to trim these bushes.
How to Prune a Crape Myrtle Bush
If your miniature or dwarf Crape Myrtle is young and thin, you may want to achieve a fuller, bushier appearance. In that case, you can do some light pruning to encourage denser growth. For this, you’ll need a standard pair of bypass hand pruners; these pruners are our go-to in the garden.
Start by selecting some of the longer, leggier limbs and trim the back to ¼ to ½ of their original height. Continue working your way around the Crape, picking and choosing your cuts so you end up with a nice rounded look. You don’t want to just do a hedge trim across the top and make everything uniform. Doing so will destroy the Crape Myrtle’s natural shape that we all know and love.
Everywhere you make a cut, at least two (usually more) new branches will sprout from just below. So, when it’s time to prune the following year, be sure to make your cuts well above the pruning cuts you made the year before. This is how you will double your branches year after year, increase the density of the foliage, and encourage new growth for more blooms.
After two or three years, you shouldn’t need to continue this type of pruning. Once you achieve the shape you’re looking for, just maintain your Crape Myrtle by removing any dead, broken, or crossing branches.
Can You Train a Crape Myrtle to Look Like a Tree?
Crape Myrtles have a delicate tree-like appearance whether you grow them with one single trunk or multiple. They typically grow naturally with a graceful crown shape, delighting onlookers with soft, papery blooms each summer.
Still, depending on the size and variety you plant, you may end up with a bushier-looking Crape Myrtle. So, to get the look you’re going for, you’ll need to do a little trimming and training while your Crape Myrtle is still young.
For a Crape Myrtle With Multiple Trunks
Shaping your Crape Myrtle into a multi-stemmed (or multi-trunked) tree is easier than you may think. In fact, it’s how these trees grow best in their natural form. Still, you’ll want to give your Crape Myrtle a little early grooming to keep it looking neat, tamed, and keep the suckers and shoots under control.
You should start by selecting three to five stems to be your main trunks. Pick the ones that look the thickest and healthiest, or choose ones that already have the shape and placement that you like best. Ideally, these will be well-spaced and not crowding each other and angle out in the direction of the tree’s natural vase-like appearance.
Then, cut all the other stems down to the ground, even with or just below ground level. You’ll want to leave as little stump as possible to minimize shoots.
On your remaining trunks, remove any side branches that are growing at or below the lower ⅓ mark on the tree. This will create your upper canopy and designate your trunks as trunks. If needed, you can also prune out any crossing branches or any that are growing inward toward the tree’s center.
As your Crape Myrtle continues to grow, remove any side branches that are below your canopy line. Promptly pinch off any shoots and suckers that pop around the plant’s base or from around your pruning cuts.
For a Single-Trunk Crape Myrtle
Training your Crape Myrtle to grow as a “standard” tree (with one single trunk) is a bit more challenging than letting it grow with multiple trunks, but it can be done. There’s something special about the clean look produced by these trees if that’s what you hope to achieve in your landscape.
Again, start with choosing the right size Crape Myrtle for your space. It’s always best to consider the tree’s mature size to ensure you don’t plant a Crape Myrtle in a spot it won’t fit later on.
Once you plant your new Crape, select a single stem to be your trunk. This should be the straightest stem that’s growing as upright as possible. Try to choose one that looks thick and healthy, too. Then, just like you’d do with a multi-trunk tree, you’ll cut down the remaining stems even with or below ground level.
Remove any side branches that are at or below the halfway point on your trunk to create the tree’s canopy. You can do some light cleanup trimming to remove any crossing branches or limbs growing toward the tree’s center.
As your Crape Myrtle grows, prune away any side branches that sprout at or below the lower ½ to ⅓ of the tree. Snip or pluck away any shoots, sprouts, or suckers that pop up from around the plant’s base to prevent additional trunks from developing.
Depending on your tree and how it grows, you may need to stake and stabilize your trunk to keep it growing straight and upright. In many cases, if you’re looking for a single-trunk look, it may be easier to purchase a young tree that’s already being trained to grow that way rather than re-training an established Crape Myrtle.
How Many Trunks Should a Crape Myrtle Have?
One of the best things about Crape Myrtles is their versatility. You can let them grow naturally without much intervention and end up with a lovely tree or shrub blooming in your landscape.
However, if you plan to prune and maintain your Crape Myrtle, you should generally train it to grow with three to five main trunks. Single trunks are also acceptable for Crape Myrtles, but an odd number is more visually appealing for multi-stemmed trees.
Three to five trunks is ideal for appearance, balance, and keeping the tree from getting too crowded with limbs and foliage. In some cases, seven main trunks may be acceptable for larger trees, but ideally, you’ll want to keep it at five or fewer.
Plus, as the Crape Myrtle continues to grow, the trunks will get bigger and thicker. Too many trunks can lead to overcrowding, limbs rubbing and crossing, and stress to the plant. It’s always best to prune away the excess trunks early, so try to do this as soon as you plant your new Crape Myrtle so it can grow in the way you want it from the start.
Putting It All Together
Crape Myrtles are the perfect additions to your landscape because they’re so easy to grow, and can fill any space. Whether you want a bushy shrub-like appearance or a tall, towering tree, there’s a Crape Myrtle for you. Like most other plants and trees, the best results come from choosing the right size and variety for your space and training the tree early. A little pruning and grooming from the start will ensure a beautiful blooming Crape Myrtle that looks perfect in your landscape, no matter which style you prefer.