Question
QUESTION: We have had 2 Crepe Myrtle trees (about 10-12 ft tall each) in our yard for 2-3 years- we bought them pretty tall so they were established and somewhat shaped - at a cost of over $100 each.  They have bloomed great for the past 2 years.  This year at Easter, Nashville, TN and much of the south suffered about 5 consecutive nights of freezing weather- with pretty cold days as well- record cold for us.  This was just as the trees had blooms ready to open.  The trees now appear dead with the exception of the live shoots coming from the ground around them, which are now over 2 feet tall, but which prior to this year we would take off to avoid low bushing, as we wanted the treelike appearance to be maintained. Now I don't know what to do - do I remove these shoots or is that the only part of the trees still alive?  Am I rushing things and should I just wait?  Do I need to resign myself to the fact that I have gone from $200-300 worth of trees to $15 three gallon crepe myrtle bushes?  I have tried to see if there is any life on the main trunks of the trees, but don't see anything.  Can/should I cut the tall branches off of the top of the tree, leaving the main trunks for regrowth?  There is no sign of any life except for the live shoots.  I would appreciate any help you can offer.  Also, I could send pictures if that would help. I am afraid I am hoping for a miracle that isn't going to happen, but I am at the point I of realizing I need to do what is best for the trees and need help.  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Tracey,
I'm in Kansas City and we had the freeze too and a lot of our plants wre seriously disabled.  I'm also a small farmer and my harvests have been set back seriously.  If your trees are dead you can check by bending a thick branch.  If it snaps somewhat easily, the wood is dead and you should cut it back to where it is still alive.  If it bends, chances are, it is still alive and the tree is still struggling to survive.  I can't believe your plants are dead.  I saw some pretty awesome crepe myrtles in Memphis  a few years ago and you may not believe this but we grow crepe myrtle in Kansas City although here it is a shrub.  I suggest you wait 3 more weeks before you start some major lopping.  In fact, let me know first and we'll go from there.  Say, contact me in mid July and we'll go from there.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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

QUESTION: Tom, I couldn't wait until mid July to respond back.  I am cautiously optimistic I am seeing signs of life on the trees, which I did not cut back, per your recommendation to wait a few more weeks.  The bark is shedding, which I read as a positive sign, since that is a characteristic of these crepe myrtles.  Also, the blooms that were on the trees and froze were and still are dead - no color to them.  However, they were closed like berries earlier in the week, and have opened up in the last two days.  Also, the new growth below is about to bloom- red berry like blooms ready to pop.  Am I just reading too much into the recent changes or do you think we might just be ok?

Answer
Hi Tracey,
Thanx for following up.  Sounds to me like your plants have just been slow to come out of their trauma.  I believe they will be fine although they will not be 100% this year.  Sometimes these late freezes can set a plant back 1-3 years so if they aren't as robust next year, don't worry.  I hope this helps.
Tom