3 Common Crepe Myrtle Issues
From shade and texture to colorful blooms and financial value, the benefits of planting crepe myrtle trees in your yard should be easy to see. Even though they are so appealing, crepe myrtle trees can be difficult to maintain without proper understanding. Fortunately, assistance is available. This guide will help you understand a few common problems that affect crepe myrtle trees.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems affecting crepe myrtles, but you may not realize it is affecting your tree until it is in severe distress.
Like the name states, powdery mildew's first sign is a powdery mildew that develops on the leaves, flowers, stems, and even branches of the tree. In just a few weeks, powdery mildew can spread throughout the entire crepe myrtle, eventually killing your tree.
The disease is actually a fungal infection that is caused by excess moisture. Therefore, prevention is key. Avoid over-watering your crepe myrtle. In addition, the tree should not be planted in an area with poorly-drained soil or heavy shade.
If your tree IS infected with powdery mildew, apply a generous amount of fungicide, and prune off any heavily-infected limbs and foliage to stop the fungus from spreading.
Beetles
Some pests love the crepe myrtle more than others and various beetles are definitely issues that can affect the tree. The Asian ambrosia beetle, for instance, is one type of beetle that can do enormous damage to your tree.
This beetle does not actually eat the wood of your tree. However, it will tunnel through various areas of the crepe myrtle, bringing a fungus that affects the health and overall look of your tree rather quickly.
Unfortunately, applying an insecticide to the tree will not actually help, since most do not work on this type of beetle. Treating the actual fungal infection brought in by the beetle is your best option for saving the tree.
No Blooms
In the summer, your crepe myrtle should produce floral blooms, but if you do not see any flowers blooming, do not panic – there may be a simple or not so simple solution.
If your tree is young, do not expect floral blooms, since some trees require time to grow and develop before producing flowers.
If your tree is older and not blooming, there is a possibility the tree has not received enough sun for the flowers to bloom. Consult a professional to determine if the tree can be moved to a location with more sun.
Also, have your tree evaluated to see if it has been infected by any disease or pests, preventing the tree from blooming. For more information, contact a tree care service.