You can do this anytime of the year. I do it throughout the growing season to keep the plants neat.

Though you CAN do it any time of the year, I like to wait until the foliage has all dropped. That way, I have a far better picture of which limbs should be removed. It's a good time to do any other detail pruning and shaping, too.

Basic pruning technique: deciduous tree are generally best done when dormant. Crape myrtle falls into this category. Best to remove seed capsules at this time as well for aesthetic purposes if you haven't already.

Dan

Thanks everyone! I may do a little of both.

Don, why do you feel that seed capsules need to be removed? Is it to avoid a zillion little seedlings all over the place or for some other reason?

I like the way that the clusters look on the bare trees, and they fall off as soon as the new growth emerges. I've never removed the seeds and it seems like a lot of effort for not much reason.

Share your thoughts with me.

It depends on the number of branches you need to remove. I do periodic small branch and sprout removal all growing season to keep them tidy. Large branches can be removed in the dormant season...usually in late winter. Since you're probably in their northern-most growing area, you might even wait until they just start to leaf out, just in case there was some die-back.

That's good advice, dave.