The crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is celebrated for its vibrant summer flowers, but its winter appearance reveals a different kind of beauty. As a deciduous tree, it sheds its leaves in the fall, marking the start of its dormant season. This period shifts the tree’s visual interest from colorful blooms to the structure and texture of its bare wood. The winter silhouette is characterized by smooth, often dramatic bark and a distinct branching pattern that stands out in the colder landscape.
The Signature Smooth Bark and Branching Structure
The most striking feature of the crepe myrtle in winter is the bark, which provides a unique texture and color absent in most other trees. Mature trees develop exfoliating bark that peels off in thin, irregular plates each year. This shedding process reveals the smooth, new bark underneath in a mottled pattern.
The colors exposed by the peeling bark are varied and multi-toned, ranging from pale cream and gray to rich cinnamon, buff, and reddish-brown. This mosaic of color becomes more pronounced as the tree ages, creating a sculptural, almost polished look highly valued in the winter garden. The tree’s multi-stemmed growth habit means that several trunks often rise from the ground, contributing to a distinctive, vase-shaped or irregular crown.
When the leaves are gone, the tree’s structural form becomes fully visible, allowing appreciation of the sinuous, often gnarled character of the branches. This intricate branching structure, along with the smooth, mottled bark, gives the crepe myrtle significant architectural interest throughout the dormant season.
Persistent Winter Features: Seed Capsules and Twigs
While the leaves drop away, the crepe myrtle retains small, dark features that cling to the tips of its fine branches throughout the winter. These persistent seed capsules are the remnants of the summer’s spectacular blooms. The fruit ripens from green to a dark brown color.
These woody, round capsules often hold their seeds until they dry and split open, sometimes persisting on the tree until spring. Clustered at the ends of the twigs, the brown seed pods add a small, textural element to the bare canopy. They may produce a subtle rattling sound in a strong winter breeze. The smaller twigs holding these pods are typically fine and can appear dark brown or reddish, contrasting with the lighter, mottled color of the larger limbs and trunk.
Confirming Dormancy and Winter Readiness
The bare appearance of the crepe myrtle in winter is a normal state of true dormancy, necessary for the tree to survive the cold. The tree’s top growth is considered winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 and above, with the roots often surviving in colder zones. A common concern for owners is whether the tree is still alive, especially since new growth can be slow to appear in the spring.
To confirm the tree’s vitality, a simple diagnostic technique called a scratch test can be performed on a small, inconspicuous twig. Using a fingernail or a coin, gently scrape away a tiny portion of the outer bark on a young branch. If the underlying tissue is bright green or white-green, the branch is alive and healthy, indicating successful winter survival.
The bare structure in winter provides the best opportunity to assess the tree’s framework and plan for any necessary maintenance. Without leaves, it is easy to identify dead wood, crossing branches, or structural damage resulting from improper pruning cuts. This visibility is helpful for making informed decisions about winter pruning, ensuring that shaping or removal of wood is done correctly before the next growing season begins.