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How you prune it will depend on if you want it to look more shrub-like or more tree-like. I always like to see the interesting trunk/ bark, so I remove the "suckers" and lowest branches. You may end up with more than one main trunk.
Branches that cross over each other in the center can be removed.
You may not want to prune this time of year, however.
What about the "seeds" on the ends of the branches - does all of this need to be cut back - it's getting big and right in front of a small building - would it hurt to cut off those?
Hey lavender01, cut away if you don't like the way it looks, but heavy pruning is better done when all the leaves have fallen off.
I had one in front of a window and I had to keep it heavily pruned. I ended up pruning it back a couple times during the growing season just to keep it in check. Then I pruned it pretty hard in late winter. It will reward you with big, gorgeous blooms.
You can start them from seed, but many crape myrtle cultivars won't come true from seed so it may not look like your parent plant (in size or flower color). The other issue with crapes is that many of the named cultivars have been bred for resistance to powdery mildew, and a seed grown one isn't guaranteed to retain that resistance. So cuttings are really the ideal way to propagate.
Ecrane is correct about the seedlings, but, it seems like every seed that hits the ground here sprouts...every where we don't want them. grin
When pruning, it is best to only remove suckers and low crossed branches and any deadwood. Cutting off the seed pods is a matter of choice, the tree will shed them and bloom just fine.
here is some info on pruning them.
I wouldn't top them as many do. Then them like has been suggested. In a couple of years they will be tall enough to open up the front of the building. You will really like the graceful appearance of them, especially in the winter.
Here's one approach to pruning crape myrtles: Prune up, not down. Prune to see through, not over. But always remember that it is your plant - not ours. Propagate from stem cuttings - they root easily.
Several in this neighborhood, in zone 7B, cut them to the ground and they come up as shrubs. I like seeing the different ways the crape myrtles look. It is lovely to see the trunks on the pruned-up approach.
