Crape myrtle help - Ask Extension
Hello,
2 of our 5 crape myrtle trees need help. Many of the limbs appear to be dead and curl in and are producing lots of little trees from the root....
Knowledgebase
Crape myrtle help #867166
Asked May 06, 2024, 12:33 AM EDT
Hello,
2 of our 5 crape myrtle trees need help. Many of the limbs appear to be dead and curl in and are producing lots of little trees from the root. Suckers, I think they are called. Should the tree be cut down completely? If so, when. Or should the limbs be removed, and if so, how? The trees were planted maybe 8 or 9 years ago in a yard that gets pleanty of sunshine. Please help and thank you.
Vic and Dawn
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
You can start out by testing some of the leafless branch tips to see if they snap when bent or seem more pliable.
If the tip snaps, move further down the branch towards the center of the plant and test again. Branches that snap are dead and can be pruned out. If they don't snap, try scraping the bark with your fingernail to see if green tissue is visible underneath the bark. There could be some life left in those, but otherwise you can prune out all the leafless dead material and wait and see what comes.
Dead branches and limbs can be pruned out any time and you can do it all the way to the ground if needed.
You should be aware and keep an eye out for a new invasive sucking insect that can affect Crapemyrtle:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/crapemyrtle-bark-scale-new-problem-home-landscapes/
Should you decide to remove the trees and want to replace, we would suggest the use of a tree native to Maryland. You can explore some options and download a $25 off coupons at participating nurseries at this Marylanders Plants Trees program website:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/marylandersplanttrees/recommended-tree-list.aspx
Christine
If the tip snaps, move further down the branch towards the center of the plant and test again. Branches that snap are dead and can be pruned out. If they don't snap, try scraping the bark with your fingernail to see if green tissue is visible underneath the bark. There could be some life left in those, but otherwise you can prune out all the leafless dead material and wait and see what comes.
Dead branches and limbs can be pruned out any time and you can do it all the way to the ground if needed.
You should be aware and keep an eye out for a new invasive sucking insect that can affect Crapemyrtle:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/crapemyrtle-bark-scale-new-problem-home-landscapes/
Should you decide to remove the trees and want to replace, we would suggest the use of a tree native to Maryland. You can explore some options and download a $25 off coupons at participating nurseries at this Marylanders Plants Trees program website:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/marylandersplanttrees/recommended-tree-list.aspx
Christine
