Question
QUESTION: I live on the North fork, East end of Long island.  Yesterday I purchased and planted a crape myrtle.  It has a bush like appearance. I want it to eventually be tree like.  I seems as though it has not been pruned at all in the nursery.  Question is is it too late to do some pruning on it?  If so, what time of year should I prune?

ANSWER: Hi Peggy,
Thanx for your question.  Basically, with most flowering shrubs/trees, you want to prune them right after they finish blooming.  There are always exceptions but the crape mytle isn't one of those exceptions.  I would go ahead and prune it now.  If you're in true Zone 7, you may be able to get the plant to grow into a small tree.  I've noticed they will form trees in places like Memphis and Atlanta where they are definitely in Zone 7.  Prune off lower limbs and continuously shape the plant into a tree.  Side dress the plant with well composted-manure.  I hope this helps.
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Since you say "there are no dumb questions"  I'll ask.... please explain SIDE DRESSING     and thanks for your first response!

Answer
Hi Peggy,
Thanx for the follow-up.  Nope, no dumb questions here.  Glad you asked about sidedressing.  Sometimes I assume things that I should not assume.  Okay, a side dressing means to place the fertilizer, mulch, well-composted manure, etc. around the plant.  Generally, you don't want to put the manure directly ON the plant just spread it around the plant.  Dress the ground around the plant like you would pour dressing around a salad.  Usually, there will be directions on the package but what I do is just take a look at the size of the plant and then start spreading handfuls or scoop fulls of manure around the plant.  I hope this helps.
Tom