Can I prune crepe myrtles now? - Ask Extension
The crepe myrtles in my area had full leafed out when we had frost a few weeks ago. The leaves are all brown and shriveled. The trees are alive but th...
Knowledgebase
Can I prune crepe myrtles now? #930955
Asked May 07, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT
The crepe myrtles in my area had full leafed out when we had frost a few weeks ago. The leaves are all brown and shriveled. The trees are alive but there is no visible new growth. Is it OK to prune them back to encourage new growth?
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
We recommend waiting another couple of weeks, as it can take damaged wood awhile to produce a new set of growth points and leaf buds. If no new growth appears by late May, you can trim back the affected wood at that point. Pruning only encourages regrowth and branching on live, healthy wood; pruning dead (or badly-weakened) wood will not stimulate the production of new growth any more than leaving it alone would.
Miri
Miri
I forgot to add: The ongoing and worsening drought is not helping matters, so monitor them for watering needs, as producing new growth requires ample root moisture. You may need to water them periodically until rains become more regular. (Recent rain wasn't nearly enough to catch us up on the deficit.)
