Another sign that your crepe myrtle may be dying is discolored leaves. Check for dead or broken branches on the shrub. Unveiling the Beauty of Delta Moonlight Crape Myrtle: A Perfect Addition to Your Garden, Unlock the Secrets of Planting Crape Myrtle at the Right Time, The Ultimate Guide to Shaping Your Crape Myrtle: Tips and Tricks for a Beautiful Tree, The Stunning Carolina Beauty Crape Myrtle: A Must-Have in Your Garden, The Enchanting Beauty of the Purple Magic Crape Myrtle Tree: A Guide to Growing and Caring for this Stunning Ornamental. Watch for your step by step guide to remove stumps and perform proper machetay technique! Quick tips for avoiding the fungal disease Brown Patch in lawns. The practice involves chopping off the tops of your Crape Myrtles or pruning them down to stumps. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. Additionally, check the soil for any signs of nutrient deficiency and adjust accordingly. Generally, crape myrtles tend to produce leaves relatively late in the season when warm weather returns. In this article, well discuss how to tell if your Crape Myrtle is suffering from something more severe than minor health issues. This will help encourage new growth in the right direction. Caring for Myrtle: Protecting Your Plant from Pests and Diseases, Reaching Maturity: Understanding How Long Myrtle Takes to Grow, Uncovering the Ideal Time to Transplant a Crepe Myrtle, Discovering the Optimal Climate for Growing Myrtle. Dont let any new shoots grow from the ends of the stumps next to the ones you saved. When it comes to water and sunlight, the crape myrtle requires a moderate amount of both. The first step to reviving a crepe myrtle is to look for signs of disease or pests. Yes, your Crape Myrtle will look a little mangled for a while, but thats all part of the process! Pest Infestation: Pests can be attracted to crepe myrtles that are lacking essential nutrients. 2 How often should crepe myrtles be watered? Help trees and shrubs recover from storm damage by applying a slow release or organic fertilizer in spring (March-April). Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills basically anything it comes into contact with. Another increasingly common fungus is Cercospora leaf spot, which is immediately recognizable by the irregular dark spots that form on the older leaves some time in mid to late summer. You can then fertilize the crepe myrtle to help it recover. Look for brown, wilted, yellowing or missing leaves to determine if the crape myrtle is dead. Even though Crape Myrtles manage to grow in all kinds of conditions, they can still suffer from serious problems. Tree care professionals call this the scratch test. If the bark underneath is green, your tree is still alive. There are some common issues with Crepe Myrtle trees to be on the lookout for: Physical Damage, Late Leafing or No Blooms: Due to their thin bark, Crepe Myrtles are susceptible to damage by landscaping equipment. Congratulations! But sometimes, an early cold snap or late-season frost can catch your Crape by surprise, shocking it with freezing temperatures before it has a chance to get into the safety of its hibernation. Fungal growth takes place from spring through early fall. Crepe myrtle not blooming due to lack of sun Another reason there will be no flowers on crepe myrtle is that the tree is planted where it doesn't get enough sunshine. Decided I wanted to take out the Crepe Myrtle to plant something di. In a few years the new sprouts will have thickened to nearly the size of the original trunk. If you notice yellowing of the leaves, this could be a sign of nutrient deficiency, fungal infection, or a pest infestation. Crape Myrtles are warm weather loving deciduous trees, so they like to go to sleep for the winter. Finally, if you notice that the bark on your crepe myrtle tree is cracking, peeling or falling off, this could be a sign that the tree is in distress. With a few simple steps, you can bring your crepe myrtle back to life and enjoy its beauty for years to come. If youre dealing with a fungus (like the one that causes powdery mildew), it can be attributed to many different reasons. 6. Don't cut too much if you decide to tidy up your crape myrtles in late summer and fall! This will provide your crape myrtle with the essential nutrients it needs to remain healthy and vibrant. Rejoice! Taking care of crepe myrtles can be tricky but if you take the time to give them the proper care and attention, they can be a beautiful addition to your garden. But dont worry, your Crape may still be salvageable! As long as the root system is alive, youll be able to continue growing your Crape Myrtle. Whats nastier than a sack of crawly caterpillars hanging from your trees? This time, cut away all the new sprouts leaving just two or three, depending on your trees size. Caring for Crepe Myrtle Download Article 1 Mulch around the base of the tree. TreeNewal offers insect management, disease, and fungus control, as well as trimming and removal. Branches. To reduce a crepe myrtles height, use hand pruners or loppers to shorten the topmost branches by 2-3 feet in late winter, always cutting back to a side branch or bud. 9 Questions to Always Ask Before Buying a Tree from a Nursery. Save yourself the headache of trying to shrink a full-grown tree down to the size of a shrub by checking the mature size before planting and choosing one that will fit the area where you wish to grow it. It is showy, tough, drought tolerant, and subject to few plant pests. Whether it lands on the leaves or branches or is absorbed through the root system, it can be very damaging or fatal to your Crape Myrtle. Signs that your Crape Myrtle could be suffering from something severe include: Crape Myrtles are tough, vigorous growers. That's great to hear! Gardening can be a tricky business. When you cut the plant down to the ground, the new growth will develop right from the stump you leave behind. TreeNewal. The best way to fertilize your Crepe Myrtles is to use a slow-release fertilizer. Is your forsythia starting to bloom for Christmas? 00:00 - How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?00:37 - Did I kill my crepe myrtle?01:08 - How do you revive a dead crepe myrtle?Laura S. Harris (2021, . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. How to Fix Crepe Myrtle Knots If you have only one or two knots, you can remove the entire branch at the point where it attaches to the trunk or a main side branch. When severe pruning produces knots throughout the tree, you may be able to make them less noticeable by careful pruning. More than one sooty mold fungus may appear on the same plant at the same time, feeding on the honeydew of numerous insects. Make sure you have the right tools If youre going to be pruning a crepe myrtle, make sure you have the right tools. Signs that your Crape Myrtle could be suffering from something severe include: No green growth underneath the bark layer. Prune off all of the others. Be sure to take extra care when pruning and fertilizing, as these treatments can be damaging if done incorrectly. Crape Myrtles are hearty plants, but they may still be susceptible to various diseases and fungal infections. To start, look for any new growth on the branches of the tree. If the tree is healthy, it will begin to produce buds, have smooth, healthy bark, and new leaves will appear throughout the spring and summer months. Though any tall variety can make a tree, at some point one winter will be so harsh that the crape myrtle will die back to the ground. Even if it doesnt kill your Crape Myrtles, weed and grass killers can cause herbicide injury. Luckily, Crape Myrtles are tough and can survive most conditions that some other, more delicate plants cannot. Back in the day when we didnt have resistant selections, powdery mildew was the #1 complaint people had about crepe myrtles. Gardening enthusiasts, have you ever wondered how to revive a crepe myrtle in your garden? Once the cause has been identified, gardeners can take steps to address it, such as treating the plants with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide, adjusting the watering schedule, or amending the soil. If you find any evidence of disease, such as fungal growth or insect infestations, it is important to take action. Youll find it on your Crepe Myrtle during the spring or fall. Even when your Crape Myrtle is leafless, continue to water it as though it were growing normally. Go back to deep watering for the first two years, a soaker hose circling the trunk will direct the water to it and not all over the rest of the bed, or you can get one of those tree root waterers that attach to the hose and are shoved into the ground. I recently revived a crepe myrtle in my backyard and all I did was trim off the dead branches, then fertilize the soil and water it regularly. Dont panic if you got a little overzealous with your loppers and cut off way more of your Crape Myrtle than you should have. Thanks for the advice! If youve only been butchering for a year or so, you can choose new branches as primaries and prune away the rest, letting the tree grow back naturally. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. How often should I water my crepe myrtle? Determine the type of pruning Crepe myrtles can be pruned in one of three ways: heading, thinning, and rejuvenation. You may be wondering if your crape myrtle is dead or if there's still hope for it. Train the saved shoots to grow up and out. How Does Tree Pruning Reduce Storm Damage? Lets discuss the most concerning. The amount of water it needs will depend on the climate, but it should be watered regularly. Water "Water consistently," says Loi. We love our Crepe Myrtles, from their showy flowers that rain color into our yards all summer to their slick trunks and impressive displays of flaming fall foliage. If you're heading or thinning, make sure to make cuts at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf node or bud. While your Crape Myrtle is dormant, it might look dead. And your crape looks great! There are two forms of crape myrtles: trees and strubs. Crape myrtle flowers can last for up to three months, and while it's true that crape murder does result in larger (but fewer) flowers, the thin branches that result from improper pruning cannot support them. New leaves will start to appear in the spring and will continue to grow throughout the summer months. If your crape myrtle is dead, it is best to replace it with a new one. If the distress is due to environmental factors, such as too much or too little water, you may need to adjust the watering schedule or amount of water the plants receive. Bark may be a variety of colors, and may change colors and peel during fall. Bark. Youll want a pruning saw, loppers, and pruning shears. At the same time, add an iron chelate along with the fertilizer. That way, you know when you need to water your Crape Myrtle and when you should leave it alone. For best growth and production, crape myrtle should receive at least one inch of water a week. Plesae let us know what went wrong? They can cover whole sections of the trunk or branches, giving the tree a scaly look. Crepe Myrtle aphids feed on the sap of Crepe Myrtle trees and are the most common Crepe Myrtle pest. Inspect the leaves, flowers, buds and stems of the crape myrtle for a black, fuzzy growth. Water newly planted crape myrtles at least once a week if dormant and in cool weather, and up to five times a week if planted during hot weather or in very sandy soil. Of course, if your Crape Myrtle is truly and completely dead, you wont be able to bring it back to life. A Crape Myrtle killed by cold and frost damage will not leaf out, and the limbs will be very brittle. Do that by cutting off any side branches growing in the wrong direction. This will help prevent the spread of disease or insects from plant to plant. Like other sap-sucking insects, they do not fully digest their food and leave behind a sticky liquid called honeydew. Weve dedicated an entire article to watering your new or mature Crape Myrtle, which you can read here. Privacy Policy, Think Cre8tive | Dallas Digital Marketing Agency. Want to know more about watering practices? With these steps, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful garden. For example, if the problem is due to pests or disease, you may need to treat the plants with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide. I'll give it some extra water and see if that helps. Resist the temptation to cut back any growth or even it out during the growing season. Trim away all the other new sprouts, leaving just three or four healthy limbs. It may be necessary to remove the too-large crapes and replace them with a variety of a more suitable size. While crepe myrtle trees typically drop their leaves in the fall, if you notice the leaves wilting during the summer months, this could be an indication that the tree is not getting enough water or is suffering from a nutrient deficiency. Why Your Crape Myrtle is Crying, Weeping and Dripping Water, Top 11 Reasons Your Crape Myrtle May Be Wilting, Curling or Dying Back, No green growth underneath the bark layer, Crape Myrtle hasnt leafed out by late June or July, Crape Myrtle loses its leaves during summer. It's already looking so much healthier! What are some recommended fertilizers for crepe myrtles? Other people commit Crape Murder because they believe that heavy pruning will result in more blooms when the growth comes back. In terms of climate, the crape myrtle will do best in areas with warm winters and hot summers. You can do this to check the health of your tree. Don't panic, there are a few common (and benign) reasons that trees drop leaves in summer. In those cases, whoever planted it selected a Crape Myrtle that was too large for the site. By taking the time to inspect your crape myrtle and its surrounding environment, you can quickly determine if it has been given any fertilizer or other nutrients recently. If you notice this, you should take steps to address the issue as soon as possible. Let this growth continue for an entire growing season without cutting anything away. at tel:(817) 592-6846 or send us a message. In summary, if you have noticed that your crape myrtle is exhibiting signs of distress, it is likely that other plants in the vicinity are also exhibiting signs of distress. If youre a man, you must watch a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. Another creator of honeydew is the Crepe Myrtle bark scale (or CMBS). In Texas, youll primarily find the Indica Crepe Myrtle, or Lagerstroemia Indica, which is a variety that thrives in heat, humidity and even tolerates drought. Those leaves will also turn fall colors and drop earlier than the other leaves. Crepe myrtles need freezing temperatures followed by warm weather so that it will know when to break dormancy. This avoids spreading the fungus. We are sorry. If you notice any of these issues, then it is likely that your crape myrtle has not received the proper nutrients it needs. Crape Myrtles go into a period of dormancy every winter. . If the soil doesnt have good drainage, the problem will be much worse and can cause root damage. It is awesome. However, they are not invincible. Every spring I wonder to myself whether my Crape Myrtles survived the winter. The first step is to identify the cause of the distress. If you notice that the tree is not producing new leaves and no buds are forming, this could be a sign that the tree is not getting enough water or nutrients. While it may sometimes lead to larger flowers, its not worth the detriment to the trees health. This is when the plant is dormant, so pruning at this time will help reduce the risk of disease or infection. Thats right, youll need a good clean pair of pruners or a nice set of loppers and some patience to get through this task. Is there any way to fix what I did?. Buds, which are small, green growths, will typically appear in the late winter and early spring months. These branches wont be able to contribute to the plants growth and can create an entry point for disease or insects. Why does my crepe myrtle have mold on it? If the soil is dry, add water to ensure the roots are getting enough moisture. Bulbs to Plant. Thanks for your advice! So, before you cut your Crape down to the ground, read on to learn whether yours is truly a lost cause. The next step is to examine the soil around the plant. Have you checked the branches for damage or disease? If the bark appears scaly or dry, it could indicate that the tree is not getting enough water or nutrients. The picture above was taken around mid April in Texas. Following Crepe Murder 2015, scores of pitiful emails from crepe criminals needing their consciences scrubbed flooded Grumpys email box. CL0118 | NC Irrigation Contractor's License No. If there are knobs, cut them off now. During the fall and winter months, water once every two weeks. If you notice unusual behavior, such as your Crepe Myrtle being late to leaf out in the spring or if it doesnt produce any blooms by late June, take note. Fertilizing your crepe myrtle is an important part of keeping it healthy and vibrant. Eventually, your crepe myrtle will look beautiful again. Crape Myrtles with multiple trunks that are cut improperly are more prone to disease and have weakened defenses against pests and other ailments, sometimes causing the stumps to turn black or even begin to die. Is the crape myrtle showing any signs of life, such as new leaves or buds? The first step in checking for damage or disease is to carefully inspect the branches of your plants. It is best to use a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 in the spring and summer months. Crepe Myrtles have thin bark, which you can scratch with your fingernail. Understanding the Soil Requirements for Healthy Areca Palms. 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