HARDINESS
• Zones 7A - 9A

HABIT/GROWTH
• The 'Tuscarora' Crape-Myrtle grows from 18 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 18 foot width. It has 6 to 12 inch long clustered coral pink blooms which, appear on the tips of branches during late spring and summer. The individual flowers are ruffled and crinkly as to appear made of crepe paper. The smooth brown to orange peeling bark and multi-branched open habit of Crape-Myrtle make it ideal for specimen planting, and its bright red to orange colored fall leaves add further interest.
• The tree form is upright-spreading, or vase-shaped, with branches spreading out as they ascend. The tree grows up to 30 feet tall with an upright, vase-shaped crown making this well suited for street tree planting. Lower branches droop and need to be removed as the tree grows.
• Pruning should be done in late winter or early in the spring before growth begins, because it is easier to see which branches to prune. New growth can be pinched during the growing season to increase branchiness and flower number. Pruning methods vary from topping to cutting Crape-Myrtle nearly to the ground each spring to the removal of dead wood and old flower stalks only. Topping creates several long, thin branches from each cut which droop down under the weight of the flowers. This practice disfigures the trunk and branch structure. Lower branches are often thinned to show off the trunk form and color. Pruning is not needed for good growth.
• Remove the spent flower heads to encourage a second flush of flowers and to prevent formation of the brown fruits. Since cultivars are now available in a wide range of growth heights, severe pruning should not be necessary to control size. Severe pruning can stimulate basal sprouting which can become a constant nuisance, requiring regular removal.
• The Crape-Myrtle grows best in full sun with rich, moist soil but will tolerate less hospitable positions in the landscape just as well, once it becomes established. It grows well in limited soil spaces in urban areas such as along boulevards, in parking lots, and in small pavement cutouts if provided with some irrigation. They tolerate clay and alkaline soil well. However, the flowers of some selections may stain car paint.

PROPAGATION
• Propagation is by cuttings or seed.

PEST/DISEASE
• Aphids are the main insect pest of Crape-Myrtle and often infest the new growth causing an unsightly but harmless sooty mold to grow on the foliage. Heavy aphid infestations cause a heavy black sooty mold which detracts from the tree's appearance.
• Insect pests are few and `Tuscarora' is resistant to powdery mildew.