TREE & LAWN CARE BLOG
Is My Crepe Myrtle Tree Diseased?
Crepe Myrtle Disease Trunk
To determine if your crepe myrtle is diseased, you can look for certain signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem. Here are some common indicators to watch for:
Leaf Discoloration: Check for unusual discoloration on the leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or spotting. This can be a sign of various diseases affecting crepe myrtles.
Leaf Spotting: Look for the presence of spots or lesions on the leaves. Fungal diseases like Cercospora leaf spot or powdery mildew can cause characteristic spots or powdery patches on the foliage.
Leaf Deformities: Examine the leaves for deformities or abnormalities like curling, cupping, or distortion. Certain pests or diseases can cause these changes in the leaf structure.
Powdery Coating: A powdery white or grayish substance on the leaves, stems, or buds may indicate powdery mildew, a common fungal infection affecting crepe myrtles.
Bark Issues: Inspect the bark for any signs of cracking, splitting, peeling, or discoloration. These symptoms may indicate a disease or physical damage to the tree.
Twig Dieback: Look for branches or twigs that appear dead, with no leaves or signs of new growth. This can be a result of disease or environmental stress.
Abnormal Growth Patterns: Observe the overall growth pattern of the tree. If you notice stunted growth, excessive wilting, or lack of vigor compared to other crepe myrtles in the vicinity, it could be a sign of an underlying issue.
It's important to note that some symptoms, like leaf discoloration, can also be caused by factors such as inadequate watering, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental stress. If you suspect that your crepe myrtle is diseased, it's recommended to consult with a certified arborist, horticulturist, or local extension service for a proper diagnosis and guidance on appropriate treatment options. They can provide specific recommendations based on the particular disease affecting your crepe myrtle and suggest the best course of action to restore its health. Click the link below to be connected with an arborist for more information!
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How To Care For A Crepe Myrtle Tree
Crepe myrtle trees are one of the top favorite trees to plant in the southeast region. There are a wide range of hybrids that all present different colors, hardiness and bark. They are a deciduous tree and will provide showy flowers in summer time and a bright fall color shortly before they return to a dormant state.
How do I care for my crepe myrtle tree?
Proper planting
First and foremost, ensuring soil pH is slightly acidic and well draining will give you the best results. Not sure what type of soil you have? Local certified arborists can take a soil sample from the area you would like to plant to give you an inside look on what you may need to supplement with. Plant your crepe myrtle in full sun (6 hours or more per day) to get the best blooms!
Fertilization
We recommend having a tree care specialist apply a fertilizer to your soil to keep your crepe myrtle healthy and thriving.
Watch out for fungus and pests
Crepe myrtle trees are susceptible to a number of fungus and pests including:
Aphids
Spider mites
Scale
Japanese beetle
Powdery mildew
Cercospora leaf spot
Having routine tree health exams by a local certified arborist provides early intervention of any and all pests and diseases to stop them before or when they start.
Regular pruning
The basic maintenance of a crepe myrtle tree is regular tree trimming. While you should remove all dead branches throughout the year, extensive crepe myrtle trimming should only be performed in the dormant season by a reputable tree service company.
If you are interested in crepe myrtle care or have additional questions, click the link below to be connected with a local arborist today!
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Most Common Crepe Myrtle Problems
Crepe myrtles can be a perfect selection for smaller landscapes or suburban areas. They are available in all different sizes and colors that are some of the most vibrant blooms of all the trees. From June to August its hard to miss these bright, beautiful blooms. However, they are susceptible to a few different types of diseases and pests:
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew is the most common problems that crepe myrtles carry. The fungus, Erysiphe lagerstroemiae leaves patches of grayish white powder on the leaves and flowers of the tree. If there is enough of the fungi present, the flowers may fail to bloom. This is most common if the tree is in a dark, shady and damp location.
Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles are about an inch long and are metallic in color. The essentially feed on the foliage and can multiply enough to destroy the entire tree. Eggs are laid in the soil from June through August for them to emerge and start the cycle all over again the following year.
Aphids
Aphids feed on crepe myrtles by sucking the plant sap out of the leaves. They leave behind a liquid called honeydew. If the infestation is large enough, it will cause yellow spots to appear on the leaves and sooty mold fungi to take over.
Cercospora Leaf Spot
The fungus Cercospora usually occurs during warm, humid weather. This fungus appears in yellow spots on the top of the leaves and a greyish color of fungi on the underside of the leaves. This can result in a loss of all the foliation on the trees.
If you have a crepe myrtle in your yard that looks to have Japanese beetles or other threatening insect infestation, give us a call as soon as possible to have one of our ISA certified Arborists out to perform an evaluation on your crepe myrtle problems!