Pruning Type Affects Decay and Structure of Crapemyrtle

The first (1), second (2), and third year (3) pruning cuts are clearly visible on topped trees (upper left). Pollard heads were prominent after the fourth year of removing sprouts back to the same position (lower left). Decay is clearly visible on topped trees behind the original heading cut made in 1998 (upper right); the barrier zone can be seen streaking back behind the heading cut (three small arrows). Small pockets of decay were restricted to the base of all sprouts in the pollard heads (middle right); arrows indicate protection zones that retarded decay. Sprouts that remained small compared to the largest sprout formed a visible collar (lower right).