Snow has become less fun

[JohnT]

Several of my big, beautiful myrtles, which have grown to give me backyard privacy over the last few years, have broken under the weight of the snow. I won't know the real damage until it's all melted. I'm just praying and hoping that my Live Oak in the front yard survives. It's my only source of shade in the summer.

[brad]

Yea.. my daughter just witnessed a neighbor's tree snapping a big branch from near the top.

[dmcantrell]

Can you shake the snow out of the limbs? That's what we used to do in COlorado when we'd get those big, wet, Springtime blizzards.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Can you shake the snow out of the limbs? That's what we used to do in COlorado when we'd get those big, wet, Springtime blizzards.

Actually, I'd thought about that but was afraid I'd do more harm than good. Might as well give it a go.

[dmcantrell]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Actually, I'd thought about that but was afraid I'd do more harm than good. Might as well give it a go.

We also used brooms

[dmcantrell]

John, if it makes you feel any better -- you starting this thread inspired me to go outside and knock all the snow out of my myrtle trees and other shrubs.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

John, if it makes you feel any better -- you starting this thread inspired me to go outside and knock all the snow out of my myrtle trees and other shrubs.

I live to inspire. I just got back in from knocking the snow off the bushes and the tree as much as possible. There is a little damage to the myrtles but not as much as I thought. They'll be back.

[Gabby498]

John, is there anything you can really do to hurt a Crepe Myrtle? In Houston the landscape companies usually trim them back in Feb/Mar to make them fuller at the top for the tree shape. I do that every three or four years when they get spindly at the top. I would think when the snow is over to cut out the damaged areas and they should be fine or maybe even better.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Gabby498

John, is there anything you can really do to hurt a Crepe Myrtle? In Houston the landscape companies usually trim them back in Feb/Mar to make them fuller at the top for the tree shape. I do that every three or four years when they get spindly at the top. I would think when the snow is over to cut out the damaged areas and they should be fine or maybe even better.

These are Wax Myrtles, I believe. They aren't normally cut back the way Crepes are. A little trimming in the spring, and they'll be fine.

[midlight21]

I didn't even knock the snow off my crepe myrtles. They'll survive....

[texkam]

They aren't normally cut back the way Crepes are.

Glad to hear your wax myrtles are OK. The advantages of NOT cutting back crepe myrtles (crepe murder) are numerous. A hardier branching structure is just one. Guess I'll go out and do some "shaking" too.

[tomdrink]

Originally Posted by Gabby498

John, is there anything you can really do to hurt a Crepe Myrtle? In Houston the landscape companies usually trim them back in Feb/Mar to make them fuller at the top for the tree shape. I do that every three or four years when they get spindly at the top. I would think when the snow is over to cut out the damaged areas and they should be fine or maybe even better.

Crepe Myrtles should NEVER be "topped", or cut back. It makes them weak, and they look like crap for months! Many professionals consider it crepe "murder". Let them grow, as nature would. They'll look beautiful.
Google it!
Just had to get that off my chest!

Tom

[texkam]

landscape companies usually trim them back in Feb/Mar to make them fuller at the top for the tree shape.

Landscape companies usually trim them back in Feb/Mar to make money.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by tomdrink

Crepe Myrtles should NEVER be "topped", or cut back. It makes them weak, and they look like crap for months! Many professionals consider it crepe "murder". Let them grow, as nature would. They'll look beautiful.
Google it!
Just had to get that off my chest!

Tom

That was my understanding, too. But as others have said, that's what many of the landscaping companies do to them. I've noticed even the crepe myrtles in medians along some of the roads are topped that way. Ack!

My nextdoor neighbors lost some big limbs on two of their trees ... seems to be only the ones that keep their leaves. The one in their front yard practically split in half. It's heart-breaking.

[movingex]

My live oak lost about 8 or 9 large branches and even worse I'm going to have to pay someone to get the ones down from the top that are broken but still hanging.