Some varieties take a tree form, some stay smaller. Queen's Crepe Myrtle is especially large. They will all try to make multiple trunks, but you can force a single with dedicated pruning.

My varieties (which are unknown to me, they were here when I moved here are only about 10 - 12 feet high). They're bare from about November to April.

My parents have 3 large crape myrtle trees, one white and 2 lavender that are at least 25 feet tall and provide a lot of shade along the back of their house. The trees have very large trunks that I think started out as multiple trunks that over time blended into single trunks. I also have a large tree crape myrtle, dark pink in color, thats about 20 feet and has multiple trunks. Mine doesn't have as big a canopy as my parents 3 do but then mine hasn't had an irrigated and fertilized flower bed around it as long as my parents trees have.

Kara

Crape myrtles make a wonderful small tree. See the two links below for really good lists of the varieties by size and color.

Natchez (white) and Muskogee (lavender) are among the very tallest - 20-25' at maturity).

Pay close attention to shape. I did not, when I purchased mine, and wish I had. On some varieties where it says "upright", it really means it. On those varieties, the branches will not provide much canopy as even the branches grow mostly vertical. I have six Miami crape myrtles that I love very much, but they really do not provide as much shade as I had hoped because there is not much spread in the branches.

Good luck on your purchase. Crape myrtle are very easy to grow.

Crape Myrtles for Texas (also for Florida!):
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/databases/crapemyrtle/

Carol in Jacksonville

Here is a link that might be useful: Crapemyrtle in Florida

We have several crepe myrtles (here when we moved in, so no idea of variety).

I love them, even with the "bare stick" look, because they provide shade in the summer, when you want it, and sunlight in the winter, when you want it.

If I buy a Natchez, (non upright), it seems that a 9' or 10' is about the largest we can get) about how long does it take to get that small tree effect ?

I have given up on finding a small fast growing shade tree ( 20-30') and was hoping that the crype myrtle would accomplish the same thing.

With crape mytles the more water they get the faster they will grow, particularly when they are first planted. Enriching the soil when you plant them will also give them a boost. Once a crape myrtle is established they should grow very fast. My parents bought their big crapes years ago from a local tree nursery and got the biggest ones that they could fit in the back of their full sized truck. I believe that theirs are the Natchez and Muskogee. The Natchez is my favorite due to the way when it sheds it's bark the under back is reddish in color.

Planted 2 30gal natchez crape myrtles in early June.
One or two branches on one side are now sticking out around 2 feet from the main group.

Should I snip them to be in keeping with the main group ?

Can you post a picture?

The left side

I think I see them. I would trim them off. As the tree matures those low branches will likely get in the way when you work around the tree. Are both of the trees you planted in the picture? If so how close together are they?

They are about 30+ feet apart.

Well the 2 natchez crype's are growing.

Eventually I want a shade tree type of look.
So should I be pruning them, cutting back any branches sticking way out?
If I prune in the middle will it grow thicker ?

Hi,
On my trees, I prune out any branches that grow towards the center of the tree. I also don't prune branches that are larger in diameter than my index finger (abt 1/2") to avoid the dreaded 'crepe murder' affect. Therefore, I prune periodically throughout the year, especially while training a young tree. If your trees were in my yard, I would prune away those low branches that are growing downwards.

BTW, Natchez is one of my favorites!

Happy gardening,
Annette