Since 2012 · Arlington, VA
Crape myrtle pruning in Arlington, VA, without the crape murder.
Dormant pruning from January to March: the crown cut back by about a third, suckers and crossing branches removed, dead and diseased wood out, and never topped. From $189 per tree.
Prune for blooms, not stumps
How a crape myrtle is pruned decides how it blooms.
Every winter, crape myrtles across Northern Virginia get cut back to bare stumps. It is called crape murder, and it leaves the trees with ugly knuckles and a tangle of weak shoots that flop over when they flower.
Our dormant pruning does the opposite: a measured cut at the crown, suckers and crossing branches out, dead and diseased wood removed, all while the tree is dormant, so it comes back in spring with strong new growth and better blooms.
What's included
What every pruning includes
For crape myrtles up to about 16 feet, priced per tree.
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The one-third rule
We take about a third off the crown, enough to shape the tree and encourage new growth while keeping its natural form.
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Suckers removed
Shoots growing from the base and along the trunks are cut off, so the tree puts its energy into the branches that matter.
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Cross branches, dead, and diseased wood out
Branches that rub or grow inward are removed along with dead and diseased wood, opening the tree up to light and air.
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Done while dormant, January to March
Pruning during dormancy is critical to stimulating new growth and flower production for the following season.
Why we never top them
Topping cuts every trunk back to the same height. The tree answers with a burst of thin, weak shoots and knobby knuckles that get bigger every year. A measured crown cut keeps the tree's natural shape and gives it stronger branches to carry its flowers.
Seeing sticky leaves or black film on your crape myrtles? That can be a sign of scale, which our plant health care program monitors and treats. Keep the rest of the beds in shape with landscape maintenance
The local picture
Why crape myrtles need the right cut
Northern Virginia's favorite small tree is also its most over-pruned:
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Crape myrtles are everywhere here.
They line streets, driveways, and front yards across Arlington, Falls Church, and McLean, and every one of them gets pruned one way or another each winter.
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Crape murder is common.
Topping crape myrtles, cutting every trunk back to the same height, leaves ugly knuckles and a mass of weak, whippy shoots. It is the most common pruning mistake in local yards, and we do not do it.
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They bloom on new growth.
Crape myrtles flower on the current season's growth, which is why pruning in late winter, before new growth starts, sets them up for a strong bloom.
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Winter shows the structure.
With the leaves off, it is easy to see crossing branches, dead wood, and suckers, so the cuts go exactly where they should.
Prune them right while they are dormant, and they come back blooming.
Pricing
Priced per tree
Crape myrtle pruning starts at $189 per tree, for trees up to about 16 feet, done between January and March.
Every winter. Crape myrtles do best with a measured prune each dormant season, so many customers have us back every year.
All prices are starting points. See all pricing
The Potomac Promise
A standard you can hold us to
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No crape murder.
We prune for shape and health. We never top crape myrtles.
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You can reach a real person.
Questions don't disappear into a void.
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We stand behind the work.
If something isn't right, tell us within 24 hours of the visit and we'll come back and fix it at no charge.
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No long-term contracts.
Book it once, or have us back every winter.
Honest by default
Is our crape myrtle pruning a good fit for your trees?
We’re usually a strong fit if you:
- Have crape myrtles up to about 16 feet tall
- Want them pruned for shape, health, and better blooms
- Want a crew that will not top your trees
We’re probably not the right fit if you:
- Want your crape myrtles topped or cut back to stumps
- Have crape myrtles much taller than 16 feet
Topping crape myrtles weakens them and ruins their shape for years, so it is one thing we will not do. Trees taller than about 16 feet need a tree service.
How it works
Getting started is straightforward
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Reach out
Call or use the form, ideally before January.
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We count your trees
We look at how many crape myrtles you have and how large they are.
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You get a clear quote
Priced per tree, from $189.
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We prune while they sleep
Pruning between January and March, before new growth starts.
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Five-star reviews from Northern Virginia homeowners
Fourteen years of consistent, communicative property care, and one yard at a time, it’s earned the kind of trust that shows up in the reviews.
David and his team are the best in the business in Arlington. Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for landscaping or lawn care services and wants a company that cares about delivering top notch results. Their work speaks for itself.
We can't say enough positive things about Potomac Lawn Professionals. After our prior landscaping team left our area, our gardens and lawn fell into severe disrepair. We saw Potomac Lawn Professionals work at a neighbors in the area and we were given their contact information. They were extremely responsive and had a team at our home within a day to provide a quote. We're so pleased with the results. Their team - Michael, Louis, Selvin, and Demetrio - were wonderful. They were prompt, professional, and made our yard something we can be proud of again. The company's text and email based post-service communication is also top-notch! We feel very informed and satisfied.
Where we work
Serving Arlington and nearby Northern Virginia.
Don’t see your neighborhood? Ask us →
Common questions
Crape myrtle pruning in Arlington, VA: answered
How much does crape myrtle pruning cost in Arlington, VA?
Crape myrtle pruning starts at $189 per tree.
When is the best time to prune crape myrtles?
During dormancy, from January to March. Pruning while the tree is dormant is critical to stimulating new growth and flower production for the following season.
What does crape myrtle pruning include?
Taking about a third off the crown, removing suckers, cutting out crossing branches, and removing dead and diseased wood.
What is crape murder?
Topping a crape myrtle by cutting every trunk back hard to the same height. It leaves knobby knuckles and a mass of weak shoots, and it is not something we do.
Do you top crape myrtles?
No. We prune for shape and health and never top them.
How tall a crape myrtle can you prune?
Up to about 16 feet. Larger trees need a tree service.
Will pruning help my crape myrtle bloom?
Yes. Crape myrtles flower on new growth, and dormant pruning stimulates the new growth that carries next season's flowers.
What areas do you serve for crape myrtle pruning?
Arlington is the primary service area. We also serve nearby Northern Virginia communities including Falls Church, McLean, Tysons, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Idylwood, Pimmit Hills, Seven Corners, Lake Barcroft, and Bailey's Crossroads.
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your property and we’ll get you a clear quote, usually within one business day. Winter pruning season fills up fast, so it’s worth getting on the schedule early.
