Basically. Some people also falsely believe it improves the bloom. It actually reduces it.
Mostly it’s just tradition perpetuated by copycatting without real knowledge of tree biology. In my area everyone cuts mulberries this way which is even worse since they’re large trees that can become hazardous if mismanaged.
When trees are trimmed too heavily, it triggers a strong growth response with tons of competing, weakly attached sprouts. If these sprouts grow large, they may eventually collapse under their own weight. Since crape myrtles are small it’s a small issue but with larger trees it can be a real hazard. Which is ironic since people often do this to their trees to make them feel safer.
Yes, but also, species like Crape myrtle can handle it just fine. It lets you get thicker, stronger primary branches, and one of the primary considerations, especially with trees managed in the public right of way, is “will this tree drop a limb on someones head (or dog, or car), and will we be sued for it?”
Crape myrtles are basically decorations for the equivalent of an ecological toilet which is most urban/ suburban environments. They’re used in places almost no other species would survive, specifically because they can handle the abuse. Many managers would rather do a more severe prune, which might kill the tree, but will prevent them from having additional liability. Not all species can handle this kind of aggressive pruning, especially ones not brought into cultivation by humans, and any wound to a tree puts it at risk from disease, but especially species which humanity have taken far outside of the ecological context the evolved in, these species basically require extreme pruning (apples, pears, some cherries and plums, and some citrus). They don’t necessarily self limb effectively, and without management, almost inevitably will rip themselves apart under their own weight. Its a bigger issue in especially windy areas.
Why do people do this to begin with? Is it just a lazy way to control the plant’s size?
Basically. Some people also falsely believe it improves the bloom. It actually reduces it.
Mostly it’s just tradition perpetuated by copycatting without real knowledge of tree biology. In my area everyone cuts mulberries this way which is even worse since they’re large trees that can become hazardous if mismanaged.
When trees are trimmed too heavily, it triggers a strong growth response with tons of competing, weakly attached sprouts. If these sprouts grow large, they may eventually collapse under their own weight. Since crape myrtles are small it’s a small issue but with larger trees it can be a real hazard. Which is ironic since people often do this to their trees to make them feel safer.
Edit: here’s a good resource on how to prune and how not to prune crape myrtles, since the other user appears confused on this topic: https://wayne.ces.ncsu.edu/2025/02/pruning-crape-myrtles-the-correct-way/
There’s no evidence crape myrtles need to be pruned this way, and I’ve seen many wonderful specimens that were not.
People see this everywhere and think landscapers are experts in plant health, so they copy it.
Every summer, I have to convince my bf not to lop the tops off of plants in our yard for this reason.
Yes, but also, species like Crape myrtle can handle it just fine. It lets you get thicker, stronger primary branches, and one of the primary considerations, especially with trees managed in the public right of way, is “will this tree drop a limb on someones head (or dog, or car), and will we be sued for it?”
Crape myrtles are basically decorations for the equivalent of an ecological toilet which is most urban/ suburban environments. They’re used in places almost no other species would survive, specifically because they can handle the abuse. Many managers would rather do a more severe prune, which might kill the tree, but will prevent them from having additional liability. Not all species can handle this kind of aggressive pruning, especially ones not brought into cultivation by humans, and any wound to a tree puts it at risk from disease, but especially species which humanity have taken far outside of the ecological context the evolved in, these species basically require extreme pruning (apples, pears, some cherries and plums, and some citrus). They don’t necessarily self limb effectively, and without management, almost inevitably will rip themselves apart under their own weight. Its a bigger issue in especially windy areas.