Crepe Myrtle Crisis - Ask Extension
This may be out of your realm, but my issue concerns my crepe myrtle tree in my front yard. We've planted it about six years ago and it has thrived up...
Knowledgebase
Crepe Myrtle Crisis #871128
Asked June 02, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT
This may be out of your realm, but my issue concerns my crepe myrtle tree in my front yard. We've planted it about six years ago and it has thrived up to this spring growing from about 6 ft to around 18+ ft. This year it has only sprouted leaves on the western exposure of the tree remaining barren on the eastern side. The trunks on the east side seams to be in similar condition to those on the west. A neighbor's tree of the same species but older does not appear to suffer this condition. I've installed tree fertilizing spikes in hopes of reviving it but am at a loss to understand what is going on.
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
We've seen some canopy dieback on a few other Crapemyrtles in central Maryland this year, but have not been able to determine exactly why. There are over a hundred Crapemyrtle cultivars, with a range of tolerances to typical leaf diseases and winter cold, though in this instance, cold wasn't likely the sole reason. (That said, in years with mild winter spells followed closely by a drop in temperature, winter dieback can occur even on hardy plants.)
Stress from last year's drought might be at least partially responsible, as much of Maryland was abnormally dry for most of the growing season, unless plants were watered periodically.
Was any weed killer used on the lawn in the past 6 months or so? Some chemicals can affect tree/shrub roots, though not all.
For now, any branches that haven't leafed-out yet are either too weak to keep or are already dead, and can be pruned out. As long as the root system remains healthy, Crapemyrtle are quite resilient plants and regrowth is probably going to fill empty areas back in, though it will take time. Don't add any more fertilizer (the spikes already applied weren't necessary, but are fine to leave in place), as it should not be needed, and too much nitrogen might cause poor flowering as the plant puts those resources into more leaf growth instead. Periodically monitor the plant for watering needs as we enter warmer, drier weather patterns.
Miri
Stress from last year's drought might be at least partially responsible, as much of Maryland was abnormally dry for most of the growing season, unless plants were watered periodically.
Was any weed killer used on the lawn in the past 6 months or so? Some chemicals can affect tree/shrub roots, though not all.
For now, any branches that haven't leafed-out yet are either too weak to keep or are already dead, and can be pruned out. As long as the root system remains healthy, Crapemyrtle are quite resilient plants and regrowth is probably going to fill empty areas back in, though it will take time. Don't add any more fertilizer (the spikes already applied weren't necessary, but are fine to leave in place), as it should not be needed, and too much nitrogen might cause poor flowering as the plant puts those resources into more leaf growth instead. Periodically monitor the plant for watering needs as we enter warmer, drier weather patterns.
Miri
