Common Council Fitchburg is governed by a mayor and eight Common Council members. The city has four districts and each district has two Council Representatives. The mayor and council serve two-year terms. The mayor and council oversee city departments which are managed by a city administrator who is appointed by the mayor and approved by the Common Council. Jason Gonzalez, Mayor, (608) 270-4215
Too often crape myrtles are cut back to bare trunks in the belief this abuse will yield more flowers. In reality this type of severe pruning results in a shorter bloom time, delayed flowering, weaker branching, and can increase insect and disease problems. This practice, known as topping, is harmful to all trees and is never the right way to prune a crape myrtle. The Right Way to Prune Crape Myrtle. Late winter (February-March) is the best time to prune crape myrtles in eastern North Carolina. Like all trees, the correct way to prune a crape myrtle involves enhancing its natural form rather than trying to force it to grow in a space that is too small or an artificial shape.
This Crape myrtle is in need of pruning. There are too many trunks, and the canopy needs to be thinned. Paul Thompson, Â©2015, Clemson Extension. To develop a tree shape, remove all but three to five of the strongest trunks at ground level.