How to - Winter care for your crape myrtles

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A burlap box protects young plants from cold winter winds
🍂 Why Protect a Crape Myrtle in Winter?Crape myrtles, especially younger trees or certain varieties, can suffer dieback or bark splitting in colder climates. Creating a burlap shelter acts like a winter jacket—shielding them from harsh wind, sudden freezes, and moisture loss.

🪵 What You'll Need:
  • 4 wooden or metal stakes (about 4–5 feet tall)
  • Burlap fabric (enough to wrap all sides)
  • Staple gun, garden twine, or zip ties
  • (Optional) Loose straw or pine needles for insulation
  • (Optional) Garden scissors or utility knife

🛠️ Step-by-Step: Protecting a Crape Myrtle with a Burlap Shelter1. Place the Stakes
  • Start by driving 4 stakes into the ground in a square or rectangular shape around your crape myrtle.
  • Leave at least 6–12 inches of space between the tree and each stake to avoid damaging the canopy or branches.
  • Make sure the stakes are deep enough to stand firm—especially in areas with wind or wet soil.
2. Wrap the Burlap
  • Take your burlap fabric and begin wrapping it around the outside of the stakes.
  • Secure it at each stake using staples, twine, or zip ties.
  • Wrap all four sides, forming a protective box or tent—leave the top open for airflow, or cover it loosely with burlap if you're expecting snow or extreme cold.
3. Anchor the Bottom
  • Tuck the bottom edge of the burlap down into the soil slightly, or weigh it with bricks or stones to keep cold drafts out.

🌾 Bonus: Filling with Straw for Extra InsulationIf you want to give your crape myrtle extra warmth:
4. Fill the Burlap Box with Straw
  • After the burlap is secured, gently fill the inside of the "box" with clean, dry straw or pine needles.
  • Don’t pack too tightly—just loosely fill around the base and lower branches up to 1–2 feet high.
  • The straw creates an insulating buffer that traps warm air and cushions the plant from extreme cold.
🛑 Tip: Don’t let straw touch the trunk directly above soil level—it can trap moisture. Keep a slight gap around the trunk.

✅ When to Remove the Cover
  • Remove the burlap in early spring, once frost danger has passed and daytime temps consistently stay above freezing.
  • This allows the tree to breathe and wake up naturally for the growing season.