Biscuit, is there anyway you could attach a picture of this tree? It 'sounds' like your tree has been (eeekkk) topped at some point in the past and all of those little limbs are the result....sort of like a brush cut.

There are some pruning techniques that can help a mal-treated crape recover from that kind of care, but I can't really help you without seeing a picture.

By the way, crape myrtles don't 'need' to be pruned at all. Other than some very selective pruning to eliminate inward growing branches, crossing branches, and to open up the canopy by shaping, these trees do best (in terms of health) if allowed to grow naturally.

Biscuit,
You may want to do a search on the forums or read up on

Here is a link that might be useful: Crepe Myrtle murder

Ask your county agent for help. He may even stop by if in the neighborhood. Contact the local Master Gardener group. One of them will surely help.

Thanks for the help. I think that rhizo might be right in that it was "murdered" some years ago. I will try to get a picture posted and see if that helps, but I have lost the cord that goes from my camera to the computer. When I get another one, I'll get a picture up.

Fredw, I'll check with the Master Gardener group and the county agent. I guess I can just find their contact information on the web?

Using your zip code ;-)
Jefferson County Extension Office. The site includes MG info.