Crape Myrtles

[lawngator]

I've heard it twice this year (in Florida) not to cut them back to the knuckles. Instead, just cut them back to the pods. Is there any truth to this and why is this? Thanks

[snake1040]

I have heard it both ways but the right way is to just cut off the pods don't know why<br>

[curlawngreen]

It depends on the height you want to start from. Too many leaders may lead to to much upright growth.

[PLS]

All we ever do on our crapes is to correct the interior branches thin any that need removed and take the pods off the the one up to about 15' if they are taller than that we rack the branches together to knock off the seed pods after we have thinned them. They always turn out great. As far as why they might be recomending not to cut at the knuckles this year. Is it puts them under more stress. Have you had a rough year already on them? Maybe trying not to add any more stress.