Do crape myrtle trees have invasive roots?

Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. But are crepe myrtle roots invasive enough to cause problems? You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.

Can crepe myrtle roots damage pipes?

Can Crepe Myrtle Roots Damage Pipes? Because of their non-invasive nature, crepe myrtle roots are one of the better choices as a "sewer-friendly" plant. While any root can potentially clog already damaged sewer lines, crepe myrtles are unlikely to do much damage.

Can you plant crepe myrtles close to the house?

Tip. You can plant crape myrtle near the foundation as they have non-invasive roots, according to Dayton Nursery. However, be sure to plant them far enough away from the foundation and the building so the shrub can grow to its full size without being blocked by the building.

Do crape myrtles have invasive roots?

Crepe Myrtle Tree Roots

This is why plants and grasses do not grow well when planted near crepe myrtles. Those roots compete for water, so nearby neighbors may be malformed or might not thrive. However, the roots are not invasive, so you need not worry about planting them close to concrete driveways and sidewalks.

How deep do crape myrtle roots go?

The root system of the Crepe Myrtle tree is shallow and fibrous. The roots of this plant do not grow deep in a taproot system but in fact, these roots are weak and dense and only thrive near the surface. They extend up to three times the distance than the area covered by the plant canopy.

Can Crape Myrtle Roots Hurt Your Foundation?

Do crepe myrtles have big root systems?

Crepe Myrtle is a large tree growing as tall as 6-8 metres high. There is no way of knowing how deep that storm water drain is and what it is made out of. Crepe Myrtle trees may not be invasive, but they will still have a rather extensive root system.

How tall will crepe myrtles grow?

Mature Size. The common crapemyrtle grows to a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity.

Where should I plant my crepe myrtle?

Crape Myrtle Trees need plenty of sun, so choose a bright sunny spot for your planting. They are idea for those hot, dry places where other plants do not thrive, so take advantage of that and use them in places that can be hard to fill.

Do crepe myrtles stain concrete?

In my area it is Crepe Myrtle seeds that have fallen and stained the pavers. I have also seen pecans fall and stain a concrete surface. Any tree or shrub that drops either flowers or seeds will 'stain' concrete; ie pavers.

Are crape myrtles messy?

Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up.

What is the difference between a crepe myrtle bush and a crepe myrtle tree?

Crape Myrtle Bush Vs.

The difference between the crape myrtle bush and the crape myrtle tree is that the tree is taller than crape myrtle bush. Crape myrtle bushes have multiple stems and their height is between 2 and 15 ft. (0.6 – 4.5 m). Crape myrtle trees can be as much as 20 ft.

How do you keep crepe myrtles small?

Remove extraneous or interior branches that might cross between trunks or rub against each other, cut low branches to encourage vertical growth and prune unwanted new trunks to the ground. Eliminate any growth equal to or less than pencil width to prioritize nutrients to the main branches.

How long do crape myrtles live?

Lifespan of Crepe Myrtle

Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that's the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.

How much room does a crepe myrtle need?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc). To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6'-10' apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8'-12' apart.

How do you get rid of crepe myrtle roots?

You can dig up the crepe myrtle suckers and sever the main roots with a sharp shovel or large garden shears. Then paint Tordon onto the cut – being sure to spread it all the way to the edges – and let it do its work.

How quickly do crepe myrtles grow?

The common crape myrtle can reach a height of 15–25' and a spread of 6–15' at maturity. With ideal planting conditions this shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

What can I plant under my crepe myrtle?

How big is a crepe myrtle root ball?

Dig around the outside of the roots, taking a root ball that is some 2 to 3 feet (. 6-. 9 m.) in diameter.

Do you prune crape myrtle trees?

Growing Conditions

Also, crepe myrtles need minimal pruning. Some gardeners top them annually, but this ruins their natural shape and beauty. Remove the sucker growth that sometimes appears around the base. Only prune to shape trees or to take out any cross branching.

What animal eats crepe myrtles?

Goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos, house finches, cardinals, and house and white-throated sparrows visit the trees continually from early December through late February to devour the abundant seed crop that crape myrtles provide.

What is the best time of year to plant crepe myrtles?

Late fall to early spring is the best time to plant. First, learn some information about the lifespan and growth of your tree. Crepe myrtles range in size from dwarf selections (less than three feet tall) to some that can reach as tall as 30 feet.

What is the best crape myrtle?

Do crape myrtles grow fast?

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Are crape myrtles poisonous to dogs?

Many beautiful plants contain toxins that present a danger to puppies and other animals. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports that crepe myrtle is perfectly safe and non-toxic for animals, as well as humans.

Can crape myrtle survive winter?

Most crape myrtle varieties are winter hardy to zone 7, which corresponds to a minimum winter temperature of 0° to 10° F. Depending on where you live in Ohio, you may be in zone 5 or 6, where crape myrtles will need some winter protection in order to survive.