Water new plants regularly for about two months, and water during drought for better blooms and healthier plants. Like sooty mold, powdery mildew is a fungus. Dont expect any. New growth would be thin and flimsy, and the cuts would be susceptible to disease or pest damage. Or, if youre like me and found that your landscaper committed a vicious attack on your Crape, all hope is not lost. By recognizing the common signs of a dying crepe myrtle, you can take steps to address the issue quickly and prevent further damage to the tree. Crepe Myrtles are known for their hardiness and low-maintenance, and they do well in many types of soil, including the dark clay found throughout much of North Texas. 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. Here are some of the reasons control can be difficult. Harsh winters can be stressful on many trees and plants. Fungus can also grow on honeydew secretions that pests leave behind. Youll find it on your Crepe Myrtle during the spring or fall. While this may seem counterintuitive, its sometimes the only option in more severe Crape Murders. These will be your new leaders. Go and sin no more. Trim away all the other new sprouts, leaving just three or four healthy limbs. However, they are not invincible. If the soil doesnt have good drainage, the problem will be much worse and can cause root damage. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. If you notice wilting leaves, inspect the tree for any signs of disease or fungal infection. If you notice any plants that appear to be wilting, yellowing, or otherwise struggling, they could be exhibiting signs of distress. Crepe Myrtles have thin bark, which you can scratch with your fingernail. In addition to leaf discoloration, another sign that your crepe myrtle may be dying is a lack of new growth. I'm so sorry to hear about your crape myrtle! Fertilizing your crepe myrtle is an important part of keeping it healthy and vibrant. Water young plants thoroughly after planting and 1-2 times weekly for the first two months. Why Your Crape Myrtle is Crying, Weeping and Dripping Water, Is My Crape Myrtle Dying? Well cover some of the main reasons your Crape Myrtle could be dying and what you can do about it. Servicing The Dallas & Fort Worth Metroplex. Adding a fertilizer specifically made for flowering plants will help boost blooms. I had the same issue with my crape myrtle last year - I thought it was dead too, but it ended up being a lack of water. You should leave at least one-third of the entire tree intact and only remove branches that are dead, diseased, or weak. Plesae let us know what went wrong? A slow-release fertilizer is ideal, as it will provide a steady supply of nutrients to the tree without over-fertilizing. Not providing enough water will result in a water-stressed plant that can lose its foliage. Growth. Dont wait until your summer annuals give up the ghost to plant your fall pansies! What are some recommended fertilizers for crepe myrtles? If the bark appears scaly or dry, it could indicate that the tree is not getting enough water or nutrients. Additionally, you may need to amend the soil in order to improve drainage or increase the nutrient content if necessary. 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. It works by suppressing growth and can also be absorbed through the foliage or roots. Have you checked for signs of pests or disease? Additionally, check for any signs of insects, mold, or fungus. Crape Myrtles are warm weather loving deciduous trees, so they like to go to sleep for the winter. While it can provide splashes of vibrant color to any garden, one of the most important questions gardeners have is whether or not the crape myrtle is showing any signs of life, such as new leaves or buds. If youve spent any amount of time driving through the neighborhoods of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, you know that Crepe Myrtles are a staple in North Texas. In order to identify whether or not other plants in the vicinity are also exhibiting signs of distress, you should begin by performing a visual inspection. If your Crape Myrtle is looking a little sadder than normal, its most likely a temporary issue. What other treatments may be necessary to revive a crepe myrtle? You should place it in a spot in your landscape that gets at least six hours of sun a day. It is awesome. To prevent the plant from dying, it must be watered once a week. If the soil is dry, add water to ensure the roots are getting enough moisture. For best growth and production, crape myrtle should receive at least one inch of water a week. Don't panic, there are a few common (and benign) reasons that trees drop leaves in summer. If youre dealing with a fungus (like the one that causes powdery mildew), it can be attributed to many different reasons. This leaves flower-laden branches flopping to the ground, especially after a summer rain, where you have to limbo or hurdle them to pass. Thank you for your feedback! If you dont repair the hack job, or if you were to continue to lop off the top of the tree every year, eventually, the tree would become quite weak. We are sorry. Watch this video from our friends at Espoma for tips and see how easy it is to grow blueberries in containers. Why are the tops of my crape myrtles dead? It does best in soils that are rich in organic matter, such as compost or aged manure. While your Crape Myrtle is dormant, it might look dead. 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. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale: Another creator of honeydew is the Crepe Myrtle bark scale (or CMBS). Dont expect any shoots just yet. You'll receive two emails a month packed with resources to help your trees thrive. You dont want your Crape Myrtles shallow root system competing for resources while it recovers. Your crepe myrtle will grow back free-of-charge and may even bloom this summer. Determine the type of pruning Crepe myrtles can be pruned in one of three ways: heading, thinning, and rejuvenation. When you make purchases through links on our site, we earn a small commission. Why Is Your Crape Myrtle's Leaves Turning Red? Trimming off the dead branches and fertilizing the soil are key steps for reviving a crepe myrtle. But dont worry, your Crape may still be salvageable! So, if your Crape Myrtle has been victimized by a Crape Murderer, it doesnt mean that all hope is lost, but it will take some time and effort to help the tree return to its former glory. If you notice this, you should take steps to ensure that the tree is getting enough water and nutrients to stay healthy. Our team of ISA Certified Arborists at TreeNewal is always just a phone call or email away. The next step is to prune the crepe myrtle to remove dead, diseased, and weak branches. Luckily, if this is your issue, you just need to either replant the Crape Myrtle or remove some soil from above the root ball. Luckily, a little wayward herbicide usually wont do too much harm to a large, mature Crape Myrtle. If the bark of the crape myrtle is dry and brittle, as well as the branches, it is likely dead. Crepe myrtles need freezing temperatures followed by warm weather so that it will know when to break dormancy. Even though it doesnt get too cold where I live, it always seems like everything else in my landscape has come back well before the Crape Myrtles start leafing out. Soil Crepe myrtle is not too demanding regarding soil pH, but it prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil over alkaline soil. It would look even more natural if the repair cuts had been made at varying heights. Roots. Input your search keywords and press Enter. New Garden Landscaping & Nursery feels that Boxwood Blight could have a major impact on landscapes containing boxwood in the near future. Is there any way to fix what I did?. And your crape looks great! Choose the right time of year The best time to prune crepe myrtles is in late winter or early spring. They need to be planted in the ground, so make sure you have enough room for them before planting. 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. The first thing to do is to punish yourself appropriately. In winter the knobby, misshapen stumps create a less than pleasing silhouette in the landscape. Branches. Poor drainage can cause root rot, also a potentially fatal condition. How Does Tree Pruning Reduce Storm Damage? I enjoy planting flowers and vegetables, watching them grow, then harvesting their fruits or veggies to cook with my family at dinner time. If youre planting a new Crape, be sure to check out this article which explains how to plant and care for your new addition. Those branches should be trimmed to grow upward and away from the trees center. To learn more about what to expect from your Crape Myrtle in fall, winter, and all year long, check out this post. Stunted growth, failure to bloom, powdery coating on foliage, leaf spotting and discoloration, and severe wilting or drooping can all be signs of disease. By following these steps, you can keep your plants healthy and free from damage or disease. This is especially likely if you live in areas where crepe myrtles are iffy, like the Mid-Atlantic states or the lower Midwest. 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. Copyright 2023 New Garden Landscaping & Nursery, Inc. All rights reserved. If there are knobs, cut them off now. I'm so happy I found this article on how to revive a crepe myrtle! Help trees and shrubs recover from storm damage by applying a slow release or organic fertilizer in spring (March-April). Thanks for the helpful advice! Healthy crepe myrtles should have bright green leaves. While it may sometimes lead to larger flowers, its not worth the detriment to the trees health. Cold and frost damage may stunt growth, but it normally wont kill your Crape altogether unless the temperatures drop below zero and the roots freeze. They wont be able to absorb oxygen and nutrients from the soil. Dont go overboard with pruning until you know the extent of the damage. If you have identified any plants in the vicinity of the crape myrtle that are exhibiting signs of distress, it is important to take action. Unfortunately, their resilience is what makes many folks continue to chop off their Crapes branches year after year. Abbie is a plant-loving freelance writer from Florida. However, many issues can result from Crape Murder. 3 Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning white? The Scientific Name and Characteristics of Areca Palm. 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. The branches, it is likely dead i did? part of keeping it healthy free. Mildew is how to revive crepe myrtle lack of new growth would be susceptible to disease or pest damage call email... Major impact on landscapes containing Boxwood in the near future our site, earn... 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