I had an 8 year old Natchez that was blocking a view. Armed with a mattock hoe, shovel, large pruners and a chain saw I went to dig it up. Ha! I cut 13 lateral roots and then hit it with a sledge hammer and it did not budge. A man must know his limitations. Cut it off slightly below ground level. The next year it sprouted and grew to about 8 feet tall and bloomed in August! I cut back, round up on it etc. Spouts coming up each year. I finally hired a guy with a ditch digger that came and dug it up in about 40 minutes. This was an area that was fairly moist.

July 22 or so....in the South of the Houston area. A recent relocation from PA to TX has been a good transition for my planting beds around the house. So far my challenge has been to get. HOSTA to grow to any size down here. it just so happens that I just bought ALL the planting soils organic soil pest garden soils sand etc. with the "full intent to transplant a 4 year old Crepe shrub.(its never been pruned in this Development. It's one of three, but blocking a Bedroom window and can't be seen under a young Oak Tree Canopy.. My PLAN was to Transplant it NOW.., this week. I figured my EXCELLENT Skill and Success in PA would surely work in the area of Texas, near the Gulf would work here. After hearing everyone's experience, I think I will WAIT UNTIL FALL ... October I think. FOLLOWING THE TEXA RECIPE SEEM SMARTER TO ME...., but waiting is HARD. My crepe does need "shaping" and I'm trying to figure out what'll look like. I'm thinking that I'll "shape it" after the last flower petals drop. Any time I've Transplanted a shrub, bush or Tree in PA, I've ALWAYS pruned the upper Growth to some extent depending on the volume of Rootball I'd been successful in removing it. Bigger ball less pruning. Smaller ball more pruning. Tamping in the rootball at points along the way, with existing and amended soil for a tight fit to the planting hole/sight was key for me. So I'd guess that'd be true with Crepes. East coast watering in the Fall for these plants was every other day, to a depth equal to the base of the root ball....4-8 gallons est. Back to Crepes, it sounds like Fall Transplant and Don't over water. Mulch the area..., create a V-shaped trench around the tree and planting area. Don't build a "mound" of Mulch, rather create a shallow "bowl shape" around the Tree that encourages water to filter down onto the Root ball. Ed..... The ....Too Long Story Teller"

I wouldn't plant it in anything with no drainage....if you're willing to drill holes in the bucket, it should work short term. If you have any large nursery pots that would be o.k., too. Most (but not all) varieties are pretty hardy as long as you don't completely neglect them (established, though, you can leave them alone pretty much) I love crepe myrtles. Enjoy!

I have failed at pictures thus far.. I work a full time job, and also run my own business so this post hasn't gotten much attention lately! We did have a cool spell for about a week and I noticed that the leaves started looking healthy again, despite my having forgotten to hand water. It looks like this is basically transplant shock that is only appearing when the higher temps come around which makes sense seeing it is a more stressful environment. I think all in all, I should just leave the thing alone and let the roots re-establish themselves. I was surprised since it really isn't that hot, but it looks like 80's and the plant is happy, 90's and the plant gets cranky. All that being said, the wood isn't dying back, and the leaves have stopped dropping so I think it will manage to survive. I will top dress next year to try and give the soil a bit more nutrient density and otherwise just see how things go! Didn't want to leave this post hanging. Thanks again for all the comments.