So, why do people continue to chop down these lovely trees despite all the information out there advising a less is more approach to pruning Crape Myrtles? The first step in checking for damage or disease is to carefully inspect the branches of your plants. To check if a crape myrtle is alive in spring or early summer, before it has leafed,. Cut off the dead top and let the shoots grow. Sometimes, Crape Myrtles get conditions that make them look much worse off than they actually are. You dont want the root system to get dried out. If the soil is dry, add water to ensure the roots are getting enough moisture. Will a Crape Myrtle Damage Your Home, Yard, or Foundation? Here are the common ways your landscape is telling you it needs help. Ctina, Your crepe myrtle should be fine. Winston-Salem, NC 27127 (336) 771-7799, NC General Contractor's License No. You should also make sure to water the tree regularly to keep the soil moist and encourage new growth. Bulbs to Plant. If you want to give your trees an extra boost, you can also use a fertilizer specifically designed for Crepe Myrtles. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. It may be necessary to remove the too-large crapes and replace them with a variety of a more suitable size. While it is relatively easy to maintain, it is still important to provide your crape myrtle with the right nutrients to ensure it remains healthy and vibrant. What are the common signs of a dying crepe myrtle? If you dont then proper pruning can enhance the circulation and open the tree up to more sunlight. If you do find signs of damage or disease, make sure to take action quickly to prevent the spread of the infection. I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. If not, you might need to call for backup. Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills basically anything it comes into contact with. You can use an environmentally safe pesticide or insecticide to wash the tree along with water. When severe pruning produces knots throughout the tree, you may be able to make them less noticeable by careful pruning. Crape Myrtles and Pollinators: Are Crapes Good for Bees? Dont panic if you got a little overzealous with your loppers and cut off way more of your Crape Myrtle than you should have. Are you looking for a way to give your Crepe Myrtles the nourishment they need to thrive? How often should crepe myrtles be watered? Why has the practice continued in this enlightened age? Our team of ISA Certified Arborists at TreeNewal is always just a phone call or email away. So, many people dont understand why its such a bad thing to lop the tops off their trees. 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. Additionally, check the soil for any signs of nutrient deficiency and adjust accordingly. With a few simple steps, you can bring your crepe myrtle back to life and enjoy its beauty for years to come. Location: Central Texas, zone 8. Flower buds drop without opening. Servicing The Dallas & Fort Worth Metroplex. Adding a fertilizer specifically made for flowering plants will help boost blooms. But in most cases, theres still a little life left in the root system to coax your Crape Myrtle back to health with some extra TLC. There are ways to save a sick or dying Crepe Myrtle tree. Signs that your Crape Myrtle could be suffering from something severe include: Crape Myrtles are tough, vigorous growers. When that plant makes its comeback, new growth will come from the ground leaving behind seemingly dead tops. For example, if the problem is due to pests or disease, you may need to treat the plants with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide. 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. Overall, the crape myrtle is an easy to care for shrub that will add color and life to any garden. Finally, you should consider using a mulch around the crepe myrtle to help retain moisture and discourage weed growth. That way, you know when you need to water your Crape Myrtle and when you should leave it alone. Leaves. Quick tips for avoiding the fungal disease Brown Patch in lawns. 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. Please reach out to one of our team at TreeNewal as soon as possible because powdery mildew can pose a real threat to your Crepe Myrtle. 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, . Crepe myrtle is affectionately called the lilac of the south by Southern gardeners and is valued for its long blooming season and low maintenance. Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you dumped the contents of your fireplace onto your Crepe Myrtle. 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. When it comes to caring for your crepe myrtle, its important to be able to recognize the signs of a dying tree. All of these treatments should be done with caution, as aggressive pruning and other treatments can create more damage than good if not done correctly. This condition causes your Crape Myrtle to look very sickly and stunts its growth, as it may look burnt or fail to leaf out altogether. What steps can be taken to properly prune a crepe myrtle? It is showy, tough, drought tolerant, and subject to few plant pests. Sooty mold doesn't harm the plant and . Those leaves will also turn fall colors and drop earlier than the other leaves. Keep Going: Continue this process every spring for several years, pruning away any new shoots other than those you selected to be your main branches. 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. One of the first things you should look for is physical damage to the tree. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. Be sure to soak the entire root system deeply, this will take about 45-60 minutes. If you spot any signs of disease, such as brown spots on the leaves or bark, or if you see pests such as aphids or scale, it's important to take action quickly. Most experts agree that peer pressure is the culprit or a monkey see, monkey do mindset. Then, when the plant goes dormant during the winter months, choose three to five strong and healthy branches that are spaced apart well enough to become your new trunks. In winter the knobby, misshapen stumps create a less than pleasing silhouette in the landscape. It could be sick or even dying, and if so, you must act fast. Give us a call at your convenience. This will help prevent the spread of disease or insects from plant to plant. This will help encourage new growth in the right direction. Controlling fall and winter weeds is a constant battle. Prune to the desired shape - Depending on the type of pruning you're doing, you can prune the crepe myrtle to the desired shape. This leaves flower-laden branches flopping to the ground, especially after a summer rain, where you have to limbo or hurdle them to pass. Remember, just because your Crape Myrtle isnt thriving right now doesnt mean its dead or dying. Still, its important to be careful when applying herbicides. Cut away all the remaining growth, leaving just these trunks behind. Gardening enthusiasts, have you ever wondered how to revive a crepe myrtle in your garden? Thank you for your feedback! Plesae let us know what went wrong? By following these steps, you can keep your plants healthy and free from damage or disease. Lets discuss the most concerning. 7 Signs Your Plant Might Be Suffering. I find the smell of dirt pleasant. Let's look at how this practice has claimed the potential beauty of thousands--even millions--of innocent crape myrtles. You can find it in most nurseries now. When homeowners see their neighbors trimming down all their Crape Myrtles branches, they feel like they should do the same. 6. First, you should inspect the plant to see if there are any signs of nutrient deficiencies. Crape Murder is a misleading crime, mainly because the tree does grow back year after year. The adult females are covered in gray or white encrustations that bleed a pink liquid when scratched. If youre a man, you must watch a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. In spring the trunks will sprout new growth. Peel back the bark to look for discoloration or decay. Crape Myrtles are hearty plants, but they may still be susceptible to various diseases and fungal infections. Crepe myrtle has a moderate to long life span. A well pruned crape myrtle should not look like it has been "pruned" at all. It is important to make sure the soil is moist, but not soggy, and that there are no signs of pests or disease. Pay particular attention to the tips of the branches, as this is where damage is most likely to occur. This is a question we have been asked frequently this fall. Fertilizing your crepe myrtle is an important part of keeping it healthy and vibrant. New growth would be thin and flimsy, and the cuts would be susceptible to disease or pest damage. Additionally, it is important to watch for signs of disease and pests. If you notice any of the signs above, its a good indication that your crepe myrtle needs fertilization. Crape Myrtle is the most popular flowering tree in the American south. For branches more than 2 inches thick, always cut back to the crotch or trunk. Every spring I wonder to myself whether my Crape Myrtles survived the winter. 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. Understanding the Soil Requirements for Healthy Areca Palms. However, it can re-occur each year if you have a Crepe Myrtle tree that is not pruned for proper circulation or getting enough sunlight. For best growth and production, crape myrtle should receive at least one inch of water a week. Harsh winters can be stressful on many trees and plants. However, they are not invincible. With these steps, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful garden. Select one or two of them that are growing up and out and let them be. They can cover whole sections of the trunk or branches, giving the tree a scaly look. Be sure to take extra care when pruning and fertilizing, as these treatments can be damaging if done incorrectly. As a general rule of thumb, dont remove more than 1/3 of the foliage and branches. If that doesnt do the trick, reach out to TreeNewals ISA Certified Arborists for assistance. For more information about the lifespan of crepe myrtles, click here. Look for brown, wilted, yellowing or missing leaves to determine if the crape myrtle is dead. If youre wondering what a diseased Crape Myrtle looks like, it really depends on whats ailing it. Make sure that the root ball of the plant has been saturated before planting and completely fill the hole with water before putting the plant in the hole. One of the most common signs of a dying crepe myrtle is wilting or drooping of the leaves. Heading, or topping, is when you cut branches back to a shorter length. Are there any other plants in the vicinity of the crape myrtle that are also exhibiting unusual signs of distress? Check for dead or broken branches on the shrub. This topping technique refers to sawing off the tops of mature branches. Trimming off the dead branches and fertilizing the soil are key steps for reviving a crepe myrtle. You should leave the knobs only if you plan to use the pollarding method for future pruning. Resist the temptation to cut back any growth or even it out during the growing season. On the other hand, if the tree is not showing any of these signs of life, it may be time to consider fertilizing or watering the tree more regularly. Dig around the root system to see if the roots are dead or alive. Buds, which are small, green growths, will typically appear in the late winter and early spring months. Once you have your tree back to its fuller, healthier shape, you will want to do some VERY LIGHT pruning each year to control the shape of the tree. It would look even more natural if the repair cuts had been made at varying heights. Peel back the bark to look for discoloration or decay. Good-you're done. Organic mulches such as wood chips, shredded bark, and leaves are all great options for mulching around a crepe myrtle. The plant will fail to thrive and may eventually stop growing altogether. An all-purpose fertilizer should give your crepe myrtle the nutrients it needs to grow at a healthy rate. Has the crape myrtle been given any fertilizer or other nutrients recently? Now that you have paid your debt to society in the most horrible possible ways, Grumpy presents a step-by-step recovery plan for the victim of your woeful boobery. Rejoice! Crape Murder is one of the many gardeners sins. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale: Another creator of honeydew is the Crepe Myrtle bark scale (or CMBS). When caring for a crape myrtles, be careful not to over-prune them which will cause unsightly knots, uncontrollable growt. In this article, well discuss how to tell if your Crape Myrtle is suffering from something more severe than minor health issues. What makes it worse is when a professional takes the loppers or chainsaw to the branches, which youll often see around shopping centers or other developments. Overwatering, whether its due to irrigation or an exceptionally wet rainy season, can cause big problems for your Crape Myrtle. Sadly, it is not. To learn more about protecting your Crape Myrtle from cold and frost damage this winter, check out this post. You dont want a bunch of new mangled growth crossing into the center of the canopy. Be sure to soak the entire root system deeply, this will take about 45-60 minutes. The crepe myrtle requires significant sunshine in order to bloom. These branches wont be able to contribute to the plants growth and can create an entry point for disease or insects. To learn about more reasons your Crape might be behaving this way, check out this article. 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