Crapes are very hardy plant. Iwould
wait untill you are sure the sap is down
as that way your safe.I REMEMBER when
all you did to a crape was shape a little
and leave.Then somme big article
came out in BETTER HOMES i think and now
its just something thats got to be done.
More work for us i guess. thanks tm

 

Here in south ga we prune crepe myrtles in jan/feb.

 

Here in North Carolina we prune crepe myrtles in Feb.

 

We prune crepe myrtles in Jan/Feb. If you want the tree look, pick a couple good strong branches and develop these into the tree, cutting back all others. I prefer the bush look to the tree and so do all my customers that have crepes.

If they want to have blooms on the star magnolias next spring do not prune until after they bloom in the spring. If you look closely at the star magnolias you should see the buds for the blooms next spring at the tips of the limbs.

 

If they want to reduce them in size, save the smaller trunks and trim the larger older ones down to the ground. If they don't care about the height just thin them out to remove the crossing and weak branches, just like trimming a tree, cut the side branches back to the main trunk to get them to grow more upright. I can't beleive they want the magnolia trimmed like that, usually all you have to do to them is deadwood, cut out the suckers and crossing branches, maybe a straggler side branch or 2. I would wait a little longer till it gets a little cold to trim them so they don't send out any new growth.