How To Dig Up A Crepe Myrtle (Details Guide)

Digging up a crepe myrtle is a relatively easy task that can be accomplished with a shovel or garden fork. To dig up a crepe myrtle, you will need a shovel. Start by loosening the soil around the tree with the shovel. Then, use the shovel to pry the tree out of the ground. Be careful not to damage the roots.

Crepe myrtles are exotic beauties; tough, gorgeous trees with something to offer in every season. From lush-looking foliage to striking summer flowers; an attractive mottled bark. These old-fashioned beauties are also super resilient and tolerate hot dry conditions.

So they’re the perfect choice for modern gardens. These super gorgeous trees also require some extra care. You have to be super experienced about how to grow them, how to dig up a crepe myrtle, how to re-pot them, and when is the right time for them to be dug up.

What Is A Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe myrtles are an amazing tree, also known as the ‘tree of hundred days’. That’s because they bloom for such a long time. They start to bloom from June and go all the way into September. So you get a very long bloom time with crepe myrtles. It adds different kinds of colors in the summer flair and they come in so many different colors, sizes, and shapes. Crepe myrtles come in red, pink, white, and purple colors.

Crepe myrtles come in different sizes as well. Their sizes can be anywhere from 2×2, 3×3, shrub to a 20, 25 to 30-foot tall tree. These flower trees love a lot of heat and humidity.

How To Prune Your Crepe Myrtles?

To prune bulbs, dig around the trench throughout the plant that’s slightly larger than the desired size of the root ball. For instance, if the plants are about 5 feet tall then the ball should be 18-inches in diameter and the trench 14-inches thick. When pruning roots clean your tool between cuts with rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of disease. Back-fill the trench with topsoil and water it well, then put it evenly moistened until you’re ready to remove.

How To Dig Up A Crepe Myrtle

If you want to dig up a crepe myrtle and transplant it to a different spot taking a bit of extra care before the move and choosing the time and method carefully can help, ensure it thrives in its new location. Because it is a deciduous plant. Fall is the perfect time for transplant when the soil is still slightly warm and a little bit moist. If it’s a long-established plant, prune its bulbs for about 6 months before the move, to stimulate new root germination.

When you’re able to transplant the crepe myrtle, tie up the parts with rope to protect them from damage, then water the plant well and mine just outside the root-pruning trench, forming any roots you encounter with transplant the crepe myrtle and cut with a sharp spade.

When outer roots are loose, tip the plant to the side and dig beneath it to free it from the ground, then push a large piece of natural burlap under the bulbs, moving it up around the sides of the root ball by tilting the plant lightly back and forth. Join the edges of the burlap together around the shrub’s post and, if it’s a big plant, use the rope to secure the burlap around the root ball. Move the plant to its new position as soon as possible, following the root ball moist at all times.

Transplant the crepe myrtle into a pocket that’s at least 50% wider than the root ball and set it about 1 or 2-inches higher than the ground level to allow for setting, giving the burlap on the root ball but closing it off from its top and sides. Back-fill the hole halfway with topsoil, water the bulbs well, then finish backfilling and tamp the soil down well. Submerge the distribution area with water to assure no air is trapped around the roots.

Once the water has settled in enough, mulch the crepe myrtle with hay or shredded bark to retain soil dampness, but keep the mulch back a few inches from the base of the plant. For the coming season or two, water the plant whenever the soil under the plant gets lightly dry.

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Final Verdict

These plants are highly resistant to powdery mildew and low maintenance so they look fabulous with little effort. Just make sure you have proper education about these plants and you know how to dig up a crepe myrtle which is the most important part of successfully establishing them. Working with these plants gives you now only visual satisfaction but also makes you mentally and emotionally boosted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Deep Are The Roots Of A Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe myrtles have a deep root system. The roots of a crepe myrtle tree can be as deep as 20 feet.

Can You Pull Up A Crepe Myrtle?

It is possible to pull up a crepe myrtle, but it is not recommended. Crepe myrtles have a deep root system that can be difficult to remove, and doing so can damage the tree. If you must remove a crepe myrtle, it is best to use a shovel to dig around the root system and then pull the tree up by its trunk.

How Do You Get Rid Of Crepe Myrtle Roots?

You can get rid of crepe myrtle roots by using a shovel or a pickaxe to dig them up. The best way to get rid of crepe myrtle roots is to dig them up. This can be a difficult process because the roots can be deep and extensive. You can try using a shovel or trowel to remove as much of the root system as possible, and then use a rake to pull any remaining roots out of the soil. You may need to water the area well before trying to remove the roots, as this will help to soften them up.

What Kind Of Roots Does A Crepe Myrtle Have?

CREPE MYRTLE roots are fibrous and shallow. Crepe myrtle has a taproot that goes deep into the ground and spreads horizontally, forming a network of roots.

Are The Roots Of Crepe Myrtles Invasive?

The roots of crepe myrtles are not invasive.

Can You Transplant A Crepe Myrtle In Summer?

You can transplant a crepe myrtle in summer if you are careful to avoid extreme heat and drought. Transplanting in the summer months is more challenging because the plant is already growing and using up energy to maintain its current size. Make sure to water the plant well before and after transplanting, and give it plenty of shade if possible.

Can I Cut My Crepe Myrtle To The Ground?

You can, but it is not necessary. Crepe myrtles can be trimmed back to grow more compact or shaped into the desired form, but they will also grow back if not cut back severely.

When Can I Transplant A Crape Myrtle?

Transplant crape myrtles in the early spring before new growth begins.

How Do You Transplant Myrtle?

If you want to transplant a myrtle, you will need to dig up the plant and its roots. You should then replant it in a new location with well-draining soil.

What Happens If You Don’t Trim Crepe Myrtle?

If you do not trim crepe myrtle, the branches may become too heavy for the tree and it may not be able to support the weight. Branches that are not trimmed may also grow in a direction that is not desirable.

What Can I Do With An Overgrown Crepe Myrtle?

If the crepe myrtle is overgrown, it can be trimmed back. Prune the branches back by about one-third, being careful not to cut into the trunk. Crepe myrtles can be difficult to prune properly. It is best to consult with a professional arborist.

How Far Back Can You Cut A Crepe Myrtle?

Crepe myrtles can be cut back up to 3 feet from the ground.