What are these bumps on my crepe myrtle? - Ask Extension
These growths have spread and now go all the way up some limbs.
1. What is is?
2. What can we do to resolve or minimize continued spread?
Knowledgebase
What are these bumps on my crepe myrtle? #860160
Asked February 29, 2024, 12:14 PM EST
These growths have spread and now go all the way up some limbs.
1. What is is?
2. What can we do to resolve or minimize continued spread?
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We suspect that those are knobby bumps left after a (poor) pruning job in the past.
There are many varieties of Crapemyrtle and under the best circumstances they are each planted to be able to grow to their desired height and width without needing pruning.
However in past times (and sometimes still even now sadly) it became common in the landscape industry to 'top' these trees by removing big branches, and leaving large wounds and scars that permanantly leave lumps.
They shouldn't spread.
Christine
There are many varieties of Crapemyrtle and under the best circumstances they are each planted to be able to grow to their desired height and width without needing pruning.
However in past times (and sometimes still even now sadly) it became common in the landscape industry to 'top' these trees by removing big branches, and leaving large wounds and scars that permanantly leave lumps.
They shouldn't spread.
Christine
We have lived on this property for 5 years. Each year I see more of these bumps, and in particular over this past winter more formed. The previous owner may have pruned but we have not. The upper branches for sure have never been pruned as that is new growth and some have these newly formed bumps.
On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 12:42, Ask Extension<<personal data hidden>> wrote:
In that case perhaps it is some type of burl-causing virus/bacterium.
We wouldn't be able to determine the exact cause nor is it curable.
Here is our page on burls:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/burls/
If the tree is still growing well, it can be ignored.
If the tree seems otherwise unhealthy however, given the proximity to your home (and if it would be a hazard were it to fall), we'd suggest consulting an arborist who can assess structural stability.
You can find an ISA- certified arborist at this link:
http://www.treesaregood.org
Christine
We wouldn't be able to determine the exact cause nor is it curable.
Here is our page on burls:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/burls/
If the tree is still growing well, it can be ignored.
If the tree seems otherwise unhealthy however, given the proximity to your home (and if it would be a hazard were it to fall), we'd suggest consulting an arborist who can assess structural stability.
You can find an ISA- certified arborist at this link:
http://www.treesaregood.org
Christine
