The Crape Myrtle is a popular Texas tree and for many reasons. It’s gorgeous when it blooms and it’s relatively low maintenance. It doesn’t need a tremendous amount of upkeep to continue to perform well. It also has a relatively long bloom time (whereas other flowering trees do not).
All that being said, it’s not as though the Crape Myrtle is entirely problem-free. Like any tree, the Crape Myrtle can be subject to certain diseases and pests.
In this article, we’ll dive into common Crape Myrtle problems as well as what you can do about them.
Six of the most common Crape Myrtle problems that we see include:
1. Powdery Mildew
2. Cercospora Leaf Spot
3. Sooty Mold.
4. Japanese Beetles
5. Crape Myrtle Aphids
6. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
We’ll talk about these issues as well as steps that you can take to protect your beloved trees. We know that people really love their Crape Myrtles and want them to continue to bloom for years to come.
Let’s talk about some of the most common Crape Myrtle problems so that you can understand what you might be dealing with.
This disease gets its name as a result of the powdery white substance that appears on infected tree leaves. It is the result of millions of tiny fungal spores that will cause a decline in the tree’s vigor, leading to leaf yellowing and browning, distortion, and premature leaf drop.
Of the possible Crape Myrtle tree diseases that could be affecting your tree, this is one of the most common. It is most likely to occur if your Crape Myrtle is planted in an area that is shady and damp. These areas with poor circulation make it more likely for the fungal spores to grow and spread. This fungus prefers periods of high humidity.
Of course, Powdery Mildew is not just a Crape Myrtle disease. Other trees and shrubs in your landscape can be prone to this fungus.
This is another fungal disease. As the name implies, it is characterized by small, circular spots that appear on the leaves. The infected leaves may also drop from your trees. Some cultivars of Crape Myrtles have proven resistant to this disease.
While the fungus is not attractive and looks alarming, it is not life-threatening to your Crape Myrtle. This disease usually runs its course when conditions improve. Most of the time it is the result of water sitting on leaves after rainfall. It can also be the result of poor watering habits, such as watering trees from above.
Trees need water at the root level, so you want to water the soil.
Sooty Mold is yet another fungus that can be a Crape Myrtle disease.
This disease goes hand-in-hand with an insect problem. That’s because this fungus feeds on the honeydew left behind by plant-sucking insects (like aphids or scale, which we’ll cover when we talk about Crape Myrtle insect problems).
Often, people notice the black Sooty Mold growing on top of the sticky honeydew. This is often the first visible sign homeowners recognize. It can grow all over foliage, branches, and even the trunk of the tree.
Of the Crape Myrtle insect problems, Japanese beetles are a likely culprit. These pests will feed on the flowers and the leaves of your Crape Myrtle.
Unfortunately, Japanese beetles will feed on many plant species around your property. While there are some plants that they will avoid, they are known to feed on more than 300 different species of plants. They do seem to particularly like flowering plants like the Crape Myrtle, Magnolia, and Redbud.
One of the biggest problems with this pest is that it can spread quickly. Japanese beetles release a pheromone that will attract more beetles to a feeding spot. It doesn’t take long for this pest to become an infestation.
Another Crape Myrtle insect problem is the Crape Myrtle aphid. These pests are pale yellowish-green in color with black spots on their abdomen. They feed by using their piercing/sucking mouthparts to suck plant sap. In turn, this causes the leaves to become distorted, wilt, and maybe die.
As aphids feed, they inject saliva into the leaf which can cause yellow spots to develop.
Aphids also secrete a sticky substance as a result of the plant sap they’ve ingested. This is called “honeydew,” as we mentioned earlier. It can become a problem because it attracts other pests like flies and bees. If you notice a sticky substance on your Crape Myrtle surrounded by flying insects, it could be due to aphids.
As we mentioned previously, honeydew can also lead to the growth of Sooty Mold. Sometimes this is the most recognizable symptom of a problem because it is dark black and can spread around the tree.
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale (also sometimes referred to as CMBS) is a small white or gray insect that feeds on the Crape Myrtle. Like aphids, these scale insects use their sucking mouthparts to feed on your tree’s sap. And just like aphids, scale can produce a sticky substance called honeydew that can lead to other problems (like flying insects and sooty mold).
One of the ways that you can protect your Crape Myrtles as well as other ornamental trees and shrubs around your property is with Plant Health Care.
At Grassperson, our plant health care treatments are for plants like flowers, shrubs, and ornamental trees (typically those 20 feet or smaller).
Our program includes preventative treatments in an effort to be proactive and prevent a lot of these common shrub and tree problems in the first place. However, we can also implement curative treatments to address specific concerns as they may arise.
For instance, with CMBS, we can spray scale insects with a professional product that specifically targets them, while continuing to let beneficial insects roam. We often use a combination of systemic treatments (applications at the root level) and foliar treatments to target this pest.
No matter what the issue, our goal is both to prevent problems from occurring and to catch them early when they do.
We always have a close eye on your property when we’re there and by partnering with you (and your new early diagnostic skills), we’ll be able to tackle problems that challenge the health of your property and protect some of your property’s biggest assets–your trees and shrubs!
Ready to gain confidence that your crape myrtles and other plants are being protected at your North Texas home? Get a free quote and get ready to have the best property on the block!
Image sources: powdery mildew, leaf spot, aphids,
