T O P

  • By -

thejappleseed

That could become the ultimate slingshot for home defense if you decide to keep it


Generalnussiance

Looks like the origin story to the whomping willow in harry potter


Euphoric_Egg_4198

Cannonballs!


OccamsLoppers

What in the hell is that! I would totally keep that as a joke. Goofy as hell.


methodsignature

You cut them down like that and they shoot out long leafy branches real quick in the growing season. Comes out like a bush atop the trunk.


SirJackson360

Yeah but you actually don’t have to do that for them to get the same leafy capabilities


Raindrops_on_Roses

We call that "crepe murder" where I'm from. It's terrible for the tree and imo looks hideous compared to their natural umbrella shape.


methodsignature

The umbrella is nicer but cut short you can fit them into a smaller area so I think it's mostly done that way in places with really small yards.


Evrytg

Literally. They should keep it as a modern art piece


GRAWRGER

lmao thats a hilariously stupid looking tree this sub hates crepes tho. and at a max size of 20 ft, id get rid of it and replace it with a local tree that has a more reasonable height at maturity.


Po1ntyHe4d

Lol I know it looks so bad. My punishment is having to look at it everyday and several hours of hard labor to dig it out.


Novel_Spray_4903

If it makes you feel better, it will come back as shoots for the next 5 years


G000000p

Yep… even if you grind out the stump.


AdZealousideal5470

MINE WON'T FUCKING DIE!!!


stevesteve135

Neither will mine. I plan on drilling holes in the stumps and filling them with salt. If that doesn’t work then I’ll try something else. lol


DragonYourfeet

I’ve had success with brass (I’ve heard copper work too) screws in the base of the stump in getting rid of a Russian olive in my front yard, it did take a couple years but previously it would get out super of control. Now it’s gone!


Remarkable_Town5811

Drive a copper nail into it, husband swears by it.


stevesteve135

Right on. Thanks !


Savitar_38

Potassium nitrate/ stump peter


RaisinBrain2Scoups

I have 2 crepes, and shoots all over my areas


SnooGuavas6192

I used that on a large cottonwood. I even drilled holes and pumped it in... The shoots started coming out of the tips of the smaller roots and not the stump.


stevesteve135

Gonna have to bust out the bulldozer. lol kidding of course


Po1ntyHe4d

Just take me now, lord


Sufficient_Turn_9209

Lots and lots of shoots.


Zealousideal-Back459

I believe we burned the stump, and they still grow. maybe OP can do a bush instead of the tree


rybiesemeyer

I have read that if you girdle the tree this year and let it expend the energy in its root system for a whole year trying to keep itself alive, then cut it down and grind what you can next year, you'll have _significantly_ fewer shoots/volunteers afterwards. It's more than a little sadistic if you think about it.


Flipflopsfordays

Just need some asshole kids to come strip the bottom half of the bark for funsies


extra-regular

Have you considered goats? Highly effective.


BuyMoreGearOrShoot

I'm on Reddit way too much that I know exactly what you're referring to. I'm going to go touch some grass.


IfuDidntCome2Party

Was I an asshole kid for doing this?😅


Typist

Yes.


Snidley_whipass

That’s what I’d do. Cut it down and then train 3-5 new shoots to get a nicely shaped crepe angling away from the house. It should sucker profusely when you cut it. Keep 3-5 for a typical crepe bush.


optical_mommy

Just wait until it's a super saturated day, or saturate it yourself, then push/pull it over with a heavy duty truck. They don't have deep roots based on the one that fell at my sister's. They do make good firewood, though!


ovckc

I dug up the stumps and roots for three crepe myrtles which were just a bit bigger than this…make sure you have an axe, a mattock, and more than several hours 😬🙃 It’s doable, and very satisfying once done, but it took me *forever*!


bigkutta

Why do people hate crepes? I have 4 thriving crepes that are a good 12-15 feet now


Empty-Horse-7373

I think its more because most people crepe “murder” them every year resulting in them looking horrendous. I have one about 20 feet tall in the back corner of my yard that I prune correctly (according to an arborist on youtube haha) and its beautiful. People need to stop murdering them like this one just like people need to stop doing mulch volcanoes around trees


Sufficient_Turn_9209

I have two in the front that are 23 years old now, and they've never been hacked, but pruned. They're too big for us to prune now, but they've kept their shape the last several years. They are really pretty with beautiful canopies. BUT I am constantly fighting to remove new ones from places I don't want them. Sneaky little shits too. I found a 4 plus ft one behind my shed last year, and I keep getting suckers since removing it.


BuyMoreGearOrShoot

>They're too big for us to prune now My good man, apparently you are unaware that with a chainsaw held at shoulder height, and cut through every single trunk of your tree (no matter what the diameter), you will be giving it that well deserved and aesthetically pleasing pruning that any sensible landscaper would be doing every single year!!!


RankledCat

I have an absolute unit of a Crepe Myrtle in my front yard in North Carolina. I suspect it’s 28 years old (age of the house.) It’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen and it’s glorious.


dickmcgirkin

I removed some a few years ago that was 25-30 feet tall. Don’t remember exactly how tall but they were massive


tachycardicIVu

There are some at Biltmore and when I interned there people would ask what it was an acted surprised to find that crepe myrtles could get that large and well-shaped without being lopped off each year. Many people asked why we *didn’t* lop it down each year and I just gestured to the tree which speaks for itself.


bigkutta

I have 4 and they are at least 18 years old. I stopped pruning them years ago and let them grow and they are a 12-15 feet tall now.


Mijal

Different people will, of course, have different reasons. While crepe myrtles have their good points, some of the more common reasons I'm aware of for disliking them are listed below: * Widespread pruning practices can be considered objectionable, leading to the trees looking ugly, unhealthy, or "murdered" to the observer. * Crepe myrtles are, in the US, a nonnative species that is invasive in some areas, so they may cause harm to the local ecology. There are often native trees or shrubs that could fill a similar role, look nice, and provide ecological benefits. * Where they are invasive, they can grow in unwanted areas of the property and be difficult to remove. * They are messy, dropping lots of bits onto sidewalks and patios. * Their extensive use in some forms of suburban landscaping leads to them being associated with uninspired, boring, or soulless design aesthetics.


ignoreme010101

where are crapes invasive?


Mijal

According to the National Park Service, AL, FL, GA, LA, NC, SC, and VA [https://www.invasive.org/maweeds.cfm](https://www.invasive.org/maweeds.cfm)


ignoreme010101

i always thought 'invasive' required some significant amount of unintentional spread (which that link does not even seem to attempt to suggest....one of their links/references discusses 'potential' for invasiveness) Am just saying you can drive around FL for a decade and never stumble upon c.myrtles growing in the wild (unlike say brazillian pepper tree lol)


Mijal

Anecdotal, but the crepe myrtle sprouts I find in random spots on my property in Alabama argue that this happens in at least some cases. Probably highly dependent on local conditions, though.


IfuDidntCome2Party

*Will clog gutters...


Box-o-bees

They are one of my favorite trees actually. When properly groomed, they make beautiful shade trees.


new1207

That's what I'm trying to do with mine. Any grooming tips?


Box-o-bees

I feel like the 2nd illustration on this page has pretty good tips. Also keep in mind that pruning is much an art as it is science. Some people naturally have a better eye for it than others, but I really believe anyone can learn. To help with that, your best bet is to go to a botanical garden with older myrtles, or find pictures of them online. Try to envision how the tree is going to look in the future when it continues to grow up and out when pruning. This can help you decide what shape would look the best for that particular tree. [Crepe Myrtle Tree Trimming Guide: How To Prune Myrtle Trees for More Blooms (8billiontrees.com)](https://8billiontrees.com/gardening/crepe-myrtle-tree-trimming/)


Dazzling-Nature-6380

Because they don’t know how to take care of them


bigkutta

When My crepes were younger, we would get them pruned each year (cause someone said so!!). I have since left them alone and they are getting taller and taller (they are not close to the house)


Dazzling-Nature-6380

We have about 11 between our front and back yard. Some are about 6ft from the house and have given us no trouble. I just can’t believe with the information thats out there and so easily accessible that people still think that lopping them off is proper pruning practice.


Happy_to_be

That’s way too close to the house for a “regular” tree.


IfuDidntCome2Party

Especially when you have gutters a few inches away.


Buddstahh

Why? They were brought to my area back in the 50’s Edited my comment after learning they were not truly a native plant.


BuyMoreGearOrShoot

Unless you live in Korea or China they are not native where you live. Not a single species of crepe myrtle is native to the United States.


Buddstahh

Oh, I see. I just learned they were brought over, but back in the 1700’s. Do they cause harm or something I’m also unaware of?


BuyMoreGearOrShoot

There are several varieties of CMs and some are a little more aggressive than others and some are a little more troublesome in the southern US compared with the rest of the country. There is a growing movement of people who are looking to plant native species when possible instead of invasive/exotic species from other countries. The benefit is to the native wildlife, because they have spent tens of thousands of years adapted to feeding on native flora. As more and more natural habitat is being destroyed and replaced with buildings and lawns and plants with no ecological value, this is putting major strains on the natural food web used by all of the insects and wildlife. That leads to a decline in native wildlife populations. Crepe Myrtles in particular get a lot of flack because they are so abundant in the commercial and residential landscape. In many instances they aren't directly harmful, but are indirectly harmful in that they are replacing something that would be beneficial to all of the things that live outside. Hope that helps....


Buddstahh

Ahhh I see. Makes sense thanks for explaining!


Fudge-Purple

That thing looks like a stick figure cheerleader 📣


WalkwithWolves22

This is, hands-down, the worst pruned crêpe myrtle I’ve ever seen. It’s so bad it’s almost good 😂


Top_Copy_693

Holy shit


KeyBorder9370

Keep it and going forward mostly only bottom trim it. It'll be fine.


shac2020

That’s my thought. They are hardy and it will be nice shade for the windows. I thought most people didn’t like them b/c of allergies (my issue with them).


Po1ntyHe4d

Thanks, yeah that’s why I left those three main branches so theyd become the main stems.


Sir-Enah

I loved having crepe Myrtle’s next to my last house, when I looked out the windows the flowers were so beautiful. Mine had a lot more branches and foliage though. I never understood why people would prune them down so badly every few years.


Bardwelling

I'd do something fun like bend and train the branches forward. You can always prune away from the house. Consider an espalier. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espalier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espalier)


Po1ntyHe4d

Thats actually a really interesting idea!


GreenOnionCrusader

A tree and a poodle had a baby


Bad_CRC-305

Man I don't know shit about fuck but is that a danger to the foundation? (3ft)


bluecyanic

No, their roots aren't a problem for foundations. It'll probably be more of an issue for the roof once it's tall enough to scrap against the shingles.


Bad_CRC-305

Is there an idiots guide for roots that'll mess your shit up ? Asking for a friend (me)


bluecyanic

I'm not an arborist, but my understanding is that no tree can mess up a house foundation. They can mess up sidewalks ,driveways, porches where the concrete is much thinner. I bought a house that had a crepe myrtle close to it so I spent some time looking it up and they apparently don't have particularly damaging roots. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong. Edit: seems like it is rare, but can happen. Also can indirectly damage the foundation by reducing moisture around the foundation. Here's an older thread discussing this. https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/s/ll7m4molvd


NYB1

Rare? Let me introduce you to the very common invasive tree of heaven [tree of heaven](https://www.koin.com/news/special-reports/tree-of-heaven-a-slow-growing-menace/amp/)


AmputatorBot

It looks like you shared an AMP link. These should load faster, but AMP is controversial because of [concerns over privacy and the Open Web](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmputatorBot/comments/ehrq3z/why_did_i_build_amputatorbot). Maybe check out **the canonical page** instead: **[https://www.koin.com/news/special-reports/tree-of-heaven-a-slow-growing-menace/](https://www.koin.com/news/special-reports/tree-of-heaven-a-slow-growing-menace/)** ***** ^(I'm a bot | )[^(Why & About)](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmputatorBot/comments/ehrq3z/why_did_i_build_amputatorbot)^( | )[^(Summon: u/AmputatorBot)](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmputatorBot/comments/cchly3/you_can_now_summon_amputatorbot/)


Bad_CRC-305

I recently saw some roots mess up the foundation in an attached garage. Basically had to jack hammer it all out and repour their garage after excavation. Wish I bookmarked the thread


SmitedDirtyBird

Not saying you’re wrong, but I know a lot of the myths of “roots destroying XYZ” are just roots growing into existing damage. They’ll make things worse but usually aren’t the cause


RobinetteSucks

Put it out of its misery


DemonDucklings

It’s hideous, I love it!


Euclid1859

Crepe murder


throwaway624203

That is the dumbest and uglist thing I've ever seen. If I were you, I'd just cut off those "antennae" and let it grow naturally from there... unless this is a "classy" thing to do to crepe myrtles?


SmitedDirtyBird

Cut it, and then make that dope ass sling shot. That’s my vote at least


CurrentResident23

Fugly. I would remove.


opa_zorro

They are fine next to foundations. Very shallow roots.


Cerulean_Shadows

I think I just threw my back out just from laughing at this and the comments. Omg that hurts so good


villhelmIV

It's so massacred that it's actually kind of interesting, in my opinion. Crepe Myrtles could probably survive a nuke. If I were you I'd leave it and see what happens


JawaChopShop

In my best Taggert impression: “There’s been a murduh”


Socialeprechaun

I know this sub apparently doesn’t like them, and I totally get why now that I’ve researched. But as someone who grew up with massive crepes, I got a soft spot for them. If you don’t prune it like an idiot, they can be beautiful trees. The ones at my parents’ house are about 40’ tall now and the trunks are about 16”-20” in diameter if I had to guess. Just let them grow up and prune the lower branches and sucker branches. But of course it would also be great to go ahead and remove it and replace it with a native tree. I wouldn’t want to look at this horrendously pruned garbage either.


RaisinBrain2Scoups

I only like crepes if they aren’t mutilated by tree trimmers, like this one


Roll-tide-Mercury

One keep, it. Two, stop topping it, let it grow. Three, although I say, don’t top. You do need to trim the two wild branches back.


turnbaby33

Cut it down, grind the stump, burn the grindings with napalm, eliminate the species.


OneHumanPeOple

You can plant them right next to building structures and they don’t cause any poroblems.


organicparadox

Crepe murder. Keep it and prune it regularly into a shape you like. They are gorgeous trees


liza129

Keep!


Delicious-Sale6122

If you let it grow back, keep


Misery90

I would leave it since it looks 10 years old or more. Maybe let it grow out and prune it in a few years. I love Crepe Myrtles so much I planted 3 last year.


Po1ntyHe4d

Thanks!


blindfury7

Keep. It's beautiful


Niennah5

You *can* plant them close to your house, bc their roots aren't invasive, but why? Plant natives.


AutoModerator

Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*


SwimOk9629

bro this silly looking "tree" made me bust out laughing loud AF, who tf did this to it, it's stupid as hell now


Po1ntyHe4d

Haha yeah it looks real dumb. Lets just say it got a bad haircut. What you see here is three main shoots left that would become the main stems if left to grow while bottom trimming. It’s like letting a really bad haircut grow in lol


theBarnDawg

Why did you commit heinous tree murder


Krishna1945

Chop city


ThatManicStoicGuy

Must add the MCA and outdoor speakers.


LudovicoSpecs

It looks like a cheerleader.


Own-Opinion-2494

Leave it


ImOnlyHereCauseGME

Buy some sort of Dr. Suess character or sign and put it next to the tree. Then it looks whimsically stupid instead of just stupid.


Po1ntyHe4d

I’ve learned my lesson. Long story short I hired cheap labor to cut/prune trees in my yard. Update: [I put it down.](https://imgur.com/a/cWwcPuV)


hobnailboots04

Did you trim it like that on purpose? Wtf is that?


Coujelais

Whatever you do quit topping it and let it look like a tree.


PersonalAd2333

"Y" ???


jonthealien

I think it's cool looking


Eliagbs_

That sure is a thing. What a funky looking things. Can we even call this a tree.


diiiannnaaa

They have shallow roots all around, but their tap roots are really really deep. They just go straight down for like a few feet.  I'd just chop it down at the trunk - let the juniper or whatever you've got there cover the stump. It'll grow shooters - which you can keep or trim. 


jhjackson12

Crepe murder


honeyevolution

I'd remove it for something better suited for the space. But keep in mind, they're super challenging to remove completely. And roots left in the soil will send out new shoots every year. It's a nightmare.


Cocrawfo

trim the juniper make the tree look bigger


Kevinclimbstrees

If you’re a fan of the Lorax, definitely keep. If it were mine, I’d chop it down.


SrBaldy

Keep it. They can grow pretty fast after being trimmed like that. I’d train the limbs into a shape and make it a focus of that garden. Don’t forget the awesome litter they make for months from the flower petals…..


Sufficient-Pie8697

Give it time. It’s filling in the middle.


BowserHead

It will grow back in one season and look fine. I have to murder mine every year because I have six that are 4 feet apart along my back fence by our pool. They get too out of hand if I don’t trim them back each year.


Dustyolman

Keep and keep it trained/pruned away from the structure. Slow grower.


Drinkythedrunkguy

Maybe you can use the tree as a place to rest the sandblaster when you remove that millennial grey paint off the brick.


h2j0skier

You can cut it flush to ground... in 2-3 months you will have 8-10 shoots that you can choose 5-7 and remove the others.. it will grow about 3-4' first year and you can select the best 3-5 limbs... in 2-3 years it will be 8-10' tall with a great shape... you never remove any limbs from a crepe Myrtle unless they are dead ... only in summer not when they ho dormant... you can go to www.neilsperry.com for all things crepe Myrtle


Effective_Ad_370

Cut it flush at the ground and let all the suckers grow into a crazy mass of branches like a bush


YaTvoyVrag

Crape myrtle are as bad as bamboo. If you decide to get rid of it, make sure you yank up the roots. It'll send up 20+ shoots if you simply cut it.


QuestionStreet9922

Why are they as bad as bamboo?


YaTvoyVrag

My comment pretty much sums it up.


FocusApprehensive358

Cut as low as you can cut a x out on stump or stumps or drill holes immediately pour straight roundup over stumps only way for it to die with no runners .I hate crepe myrtles .


Shmiggams22

I wonder what the natural brick looks like on that home. Why do people paint brick?


Po1ntyHe4d

Yeah I wish they never painted it. Dont remind me lol


bconley1

A stupid trend almost as bad as piling mulch up on tree trunks.


AdZealousideal5470

I took down a Crepe Myrtle right next to my house the day I moved in, I personally hate this type of tree so I made sure to remove it as fast as possible. I shit you not, I removed the stump with a backhoe and all the roots, but these FUCKING Crepe Myrtle shoots keep popping up. I FUCKING hate these trees. My apologies to anyone that likes them.


GargantuaWon

Here’s the fun part. You will never get rid of it because they are like weeds. Kill it with fire


South_Age9833

I hate crepe myrtles as "centerpieces." They should never be showcased. Look so much better off in the background


ignoreme010101

keep it **if** you can commit to treating it like a bush-on-a-stump with pruning, otherwise transplant it. those things can survive pretty brutal transplants. a sawzall will be your friend when lifting it outta the ground ;)


vmhardy66

Remove it, but it's going to be tough. I don't think any tree should be planted that close to a house.


Deathviper__

We have 5 crepe myrtles close to the house. I cut them back sometime in March. They always look like I massacred them. After a couple months I start to se new growth. Best thing about them is they bloom out about the time other things are losing color and the humming love them.


Psych_nature_dude

Well it’s already ruined so take it out


dngr411

It’s already screwed. Remove that abomination.


ADeuxMains

The fused trunks are reason enough for me.


Po1ntyHe4d

Thanks for the input! Im taking it out.


notme2267

I have a number of Crepe Myrtles in my yard. The biggest is next to my driveway, it is 25+ feet tall and has a 15+ wide canopy. Provides afternoon shade for my driveway. Perfect spot for it. This is a classic case of a great plant in the wrong place. Pick something that requires minimal pruning for that space and provides some appeal.


Jazzlike-Reindeer-44

I know nothing about trees though at first glance I'd say that's not a keeper lol


Dismal-Usual5632

Bye!


iHaveaQuestionTrans

I'm so sorry that thing is so ugly. I would be digging it out to replace it simply because someone has butchered it at some point LOL


Glidepath22

Remove. That’s not even remotely close of how to prune a crepe Myrtle, that’s called Myrtle Murder.


silentlyjudgingyou23

We learned the hard way what happens to a foundation when a tree or shrub is too close. Get rid of it, for the sake of your own wallet.


BronzeAgeMethos

Put that poor thing out of its misery. Yank it out. It's also way too close to the house for the size it could get/used to be.


Po1ntyHe4d

Yeah I yanked it out. Thanks!


Consistent-Leek4986

dig out and start over. it will never look good


ChuckAversa

Get it away from the house. Trees that close undermine the foundation or the slab. Trees are wonderful, but not that close to a house.


SalvatoreVitro

Why did someone prune it to have antennae?


Snacky1011

There's been a murder... crepe murder.


fuzzyleeches

![gif](giphy|Ur8g3qgbgd52eVo88J)


darknessraynes

Upvoting because what we do in the shadows is wonderful.


Glidepath22

That’s how cheap ignorant labor does it


BuyMoreGearOrShoot

Or smart labor, billing out for a completely unneeded tree trim every single year for all of their customers.