Planetagarden
That peeling bark is normal; in fact, it's one of the most prized qualities of our favorite tree! As all Crepe Myrtles grow and mature, they shed last year's bark, revealing a colorful, mottled bark beneath. Once the tree has reached full maturity, several years after planting... you are in for a real show.
- Why is my crepe myrtle bark peeling?
- How do I get rid of crepe myrtle bark scale?
- How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?
- What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?
- Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?
- How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?
- What is the white stuff on crepe myrtles?
- What is crepe myrtle bark scale?
- What is the darkest purple crepe myrtle?
- What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
- What kills crepe myrtle?
- Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
- Are crepe myrtle tree roots invasive?
- Is there a difference between crepe myrtle trees and bushes?
- What is the tallest crepe myrtle?
- What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
- Where do you cut back crepe myrtles?
- Is crepe myrtle too late to trim April?
- What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?
- How do you get rid of white fungus on crepe myrtles?
- How do you treat white fungus on crepe myrtles?
- What is the best fungicide for powdery mildew?
Why is my crepe myrtle bark peeling?
Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding – A Perfectly Normal Process
It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed.
How do I get rid of crepe myrtle bark scale?
How do I treat for crape myrtle bark scale? Systemic insecticides work very well to control the bark scale, but the timing is most effective when applied in late winter/early spring. If you are just now spotting the problem, you can clean off the trunk with warm, soapy water to remove the black sooty mold.
How do you know when a crepe myrtle is dying?
Using Scratch Test to determine a Dead Crape Myrtle
Scratch the lower base of the stem and if it's green it is still alive. If it's not, it may still be alive, but you'll have to wait awhile before you know for sure. A really cold winter may have of killed the top growth, but the roots may still be alive.
What is the lifespan of a crepe myrtle tree?
Crepe myrtles live quite a few years if you take care of them. A crepe myrtle lifespan can exceed 50 years. So that's the answer to the question “how long do crepe myrtle trees live?” They can live a good, long time with suitable care.
Are you supposed to cut back crepe myrtles?
If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. ... The seed heads from last year can remain on the plant all year, and you will still get good blooming in the current year.
How do you revive a crepe myrtle tree?
Reviving Crepe Myrtle After Neglect
- Since it is summer now you want it to push some new growth so you can see the tree's strengths. ...
- Use a normal tree and shrub fertilizer and apply it a foot or two away from the trunk and close to its source or sources of water.
What is the white stuff on crepe myrtles?
Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle, and it is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemiae. Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers, and new shoots. Heavily infected flowers may fail to open.
What is crepe myrtle bark scale?
Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (let's call it CMBS) is a small insect that appears as a white or gray felt-like encrustation. CMBS might be found anywhere on crapemyrtles, and often appears near pruning sites and branch crotches of more mature wood. Often times, the first sign of CMBS is the black sooty mold on the tree bark.
What is the darkest purple crepe myrtle?
Our own Patented Mini Crape Purple Velvet has some of the most strikingly beautiful dark black-purple flowers we have ever seen. By far our most popular variety, this shade of purple-violet is so dark it is almost black.
What happens if you don't prune crepe myrtles?
Flowers are not the only virtue of this tree. Many varieties have beautiful bark and growth habits that can be enjoyed all year if trees are not heavily pruned. This unsightly, ugly pruning known as crape murder is not recommended. Once it's done, it ruins the tree's graceful natural shape for the rest of its life.
What kills crepe myrtle?
Triclopyr. Triclopyr-based herbicides cause supressed or abnormal growth that disrupts and eventually kills the crape myrtle. The herbicide may be applied to the foliage, the roots, or both. As with other broadleaf herbicides, crape myrtle trees absorb the poison and circulate it, causing the tree to die.
Can I cut my crepe myrtle to the ground?
One would be to do as you ask, and start over by cutting the plant to the ground. This will take time to restructure the tree. If you do this, choose three to five sprouts that appear, and prune out everything else. ... Pruning of crape myrtles should be done in late February to early March.
Are crepe myrtle tree roots invasive?
Crepe Myrtle Root System: Are Crepe Myrtle Roots Invasive
Crepe myrtle trees are lovely, delicate trees offering bright, spectacular flowers in the summer and beautiful fall color when the weather begins to chill. ... You don't have to worry about this issue because crepe myrtle tree roots are not invasive.
Is there a difference between crepe myrtle trees and bushes?
What's the difference between a crape myrtle tree and a crape myrtle bush? The only difference is the mature size. Here's a chart to help you wade through the different cultivars. See also our Crape Myrtles Plant Care and Collection of Varieties.
What is the tallest crepe myrtle?
The largest commercially available varieties of crape myrtle usually grow between 23 and 33 feet tall. Among them is the white-flowered Kiowa (Lagerstroemia 'Kiowa'). A mature specimen at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., is 30 feet tall.
What month do you prune crepe myrtle trees?
When is the best time to trim or cut back crepe myrtles? Early spring before new growth is the best time to prune crape myrtles. Whenever you prune, you cause the tree to generate new growth. New growth that starts now will not have time to harden off before frost.
Where do you cut back crepe myrtles?
Cut off suckers from the bottom, rubbing and cross growing branches and branches growing inward. Gradually cut off all side branches from the main base as the tree gets taller. Never leave lone or clustered stubs. Be sure to remove unwanted branches before they get too thick (thickness of a pencil).
Is crepe myrtle too late to trim April?
While we consider late winter to be the ideal time to prune crape myrtles, now (early spring) is also OK for pruning them. ... Pruning as late as May will likely cause some delay in bloom time, and pruning later than May may delay bloom noticeably but will not harm the tree.
What is the best fertilizer for crepe myrtle trees?
To maximize spring growth and summer bloom, gardeners should fertilize their crape myrtles in early spring just prior to new growth. Fertilizers like 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles but you shouldn't go over board.
How do you get rid of white fungus on crepe myrtles?
Apply fungicide. Find a fungicide specifically formulated for mildew on crape myrtles or use a generic fungicide that contains one of these ingredients: propiconazole, tebuconazole, thiophanate-methyl, myclobutanil or triadimefon. Apply as directed; keep applying until the mildew has retreated.
How do you treat white fungus on crepe myrtles?
Many people fight powdery mildew by trimming back all affected branches, but this can reduce a floral display if done too late in the season. The best practice is to choose a resistant variety of crape myrtle and plant it in the sun. The next best practice is to spray with a preventive fungicide early on.
What is the best fungicide for powdery mildew?
The Best Fungicides for Getting Rid of Powdery Mildew, Snow Mold, Grass and Lawn Fungi
- Bonide 811 Copper 4E Fungicide. ...
- Spectracide 51000-1 Immunox Fungicide. ...
- Serenade Garden AGRSER32 Organic Fungicide. ...
- Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide.
