Some people choose these trees for their pretty flowers. A: My guess is that your last crapemyrtle is showing damage from water stress. It looks like a white speck stuck to the bark of a trunk or branch. Once the flowers fade, it’s summer. Controlling the scale will result in the disappearance of the sooty mold. Adult females are whitish encrustations that stick to crape myrtle trunks and twigs. Distribution. The management practices sometimes … Crape myrtle bark scale is a messy insect pest that leaves behind a sticky honeydew residue in which black sooty mold will develop. Gently rub the dead lichens with a damp wire brush to remove the growth from your crepe myrtle. This disease – caused by a fungus called Erysiphe – is also seen on other garden shrubs, including lilacs and roses, but each plant has a specific form that only attack it, so powdery mildew on Crape Myrtle cannot spread to lilacs, or vice-versa, although they may appear simultaneously during suitable weather conditions. What kind of soil would you use to put in ground for the crepes? Heavily … This change may be a sign of powdery mildew, a disease common to crape myrtles. Gray bark scale won’t kill crape myrtles, but it can be washed off if you don’t like the look. 3), and badly infected leave… Crape myrtle bark scale will appear like a white waxy crusty dot found on the tree trunk, branches or bark. Can you tell me what if anything I should do? The crepe myrtle, sometimes spelled crape myrtle or crapemyrtle, is a large, flowering tree. Because the crepe myrtle is a deciduous tree, it sheds all its leaves in the winter, leaving behind the beautiful bark on the tree, which makes it a prized tree in many yards. Reapply the solution if it rains within 24 hours of application. In one year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS. One thing that is really interesting, however, is when you find crepe myrtle bark shedding. Adult females produce a white, felt-like sac around their bodies and lay approximately 100 to 300 pink eggs inside this sac. Crape myrtles typically have flaking bark so that check to make sure there's actually something growing on the bark rather than the bark just naturally shedding. A lot of people plant crepe myrtle trees and then start worrying as soon as they find that the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree in their yard. crape myrtle mold-like growth on bark? thanks very much! Native to Asia, these shrubs or small trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. It looks like you have Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (CMBS). When crushed, the scales exude a pink liquid. Over the past few years, the crape myrtle bark scale, Eriococcus lager­stroemiae, has become a new threat to the future of crape myrtles across the Southeast. Black Diamond Crape Myrtle Problems . Although nontoxic to humans and animals, herbicidal soaps can still cause skin and eye irritation. The black sooty mold is a by-product of the the scale. Crepe myrtle scale arrived here a few years ago as an accidental import from Asia. The bark coming off a crepe myrtle is just one way it can surprise you. Hi, I noticed some gray-greenish spots on the bark of our crape myrtle-- they smudged when I touched (see especially the right side of the attached picture). The scales also reproduce on the shrubs, with each female laying dozens of pink eggs. These leaves tend to dry out and wilt. Working together, those organisms allow lichens to thrive in some of the Earth's harshest climates. What organic spray can I use to rid the plant of this fungus. I wouldn't worry about the sooty mold since the leaves will be falling soon from the tree. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale . Black Sooty Mold On Crape Myrtles . After summer, their leaves will be absolutely beautiful, enhancing your fall landscape with bright yellow and deep red leaves. The fungi and algae enjoy a beneficial, symbiotic relationship, with the latter producing food through photosynthesis and the former supplying minerals, water and a protective structure. Lichens are unusual plantlike organisms that consist of both algae and fungi growing together in a single body. In addition to the presence of these bumps there is often also an emergence of unsightly black sooty-looking mold which develops resembling black dust on the leaves and bark of the crape myrtle plant.These are the defining characteristics which make up crape myrtle ba… Sign up for our newsletter. Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale is a relatively new nonnative scale that was first detected in the U.S. in 2004. So, if you notice peeling bark on crepe myrtle, leave it alone! Heavy infestations of crape myrtle bark scale are easy to spot and identify: Look for crape myrtles with heavy accumulations of black sooty mold on the leaves, limbs, and trunk. However, the peeling bark on crepe myrtle will first leave behind beautiful warm colors, ranging from cream to warm beige to cinnamon and on to bright red. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Black Diamond Crape Myrtle Problems . Grayish-white patches on the bark near pruning wounds or in branch crotches hide colonies of the insects. you say. Secretion of honey-dew leads to growth of black sooty mold in the branches. And powdery mildew says, "Yum!" It can improve control of pests such as aphids.Remember, an insecticide application will never kill every individual of a pest population. However, you should know that peeling bark on crepe myrtle is normal. Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS), a type of felt scale, is a serious threat to the crape myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica. Rinse the treated bark with 1 gallon of water about 15 minutes after application, but avoid heavy watering for at least six hours after treatment. It is used frequently in southern gardens because the hot summer climate allows it to thrive. What can they do to get rid of the “fungus”? Crape myrtle bark scale is an introduced insect pest from Asia, and it has a great affinity for crape myrtle trees. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. Prune, then spray with the bifenthrin and horticultural oil mix. It is the job of natural enemies to clean up after and between insecticide applications. They often think the white dots are a fungus, but it is in fact a bug. These galls are full of aphids in different stages of their life. Spray herbicidal soaps only when the weather is calm and rain isn't expected for at least 24 hours following treatment. 0. The insect was first noted in McKinney, Texas (self-designated as America’s “crapemyrtle city”), in 2005 and had spread throughout most of … However, the Crape Myrtle does boast a higher resistance to pests and diseases than other flowering tree varieties, and when they are affected, the issues are easy to mediate quickly. Like all trees, Crape Myrtles can develop fungus or mildew on their leaves. This is a small insect that sucks the sugary juices of the tree. It has some kind of green “fungus” growing on it. After winter, the colors will fade. University of California Cooperative Extension: Lichens, Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Lichens on Woody Shrubs and Trees, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Crape Myrtle Diseases & Insect Pests, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Crape Myrtle/Lichens, University of California Sonoma County Master Gardeners: Lagerstroemia Spp. When the leaves fall off and the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree, you will then have beautiful colored wood to mark your yard. Southern favorites, crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), produce showy, long-lasting summer blooms. If forms a grey paper fungus like on the stems and outside bark. Although generally trouble-free plants, crepe myrtles occasionally start sporting green growth on the bark of trunks, twigs or branches. Older leaves are less likely to be affected, but can become infected under conditions favorable for the disease. Infected parts of the plant are usually distorted and stunted. The small CMBS males are winged and will fly to find females and to mate. The fatty acids in the potassium salts quickly kill lichens without harming or discoloring the bark. The undigested sugars pass through the insects and are deposited on the leaf or stem where the insects are … Crape Myrtle have a fungus that is killing my plants. Asked September 25, 2020, 4:02 PM EDT Hi, I noticed some gray-greenish spots on the bark of our crape myrtle-- they smudged when I touched (see especially the right side of the attached picture). Green Stuff on Crepe Myrtle Bark. Since the initial sighting in 2004, the crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) insect has been spreading at an alarming rate across the Southeast. My Crepe Myrtle Is Turning Black. The lichens should come off with the peeling bark by summertime. With crape myrtles, the life of lichens and moss is often short-lived as these trees and shrubs shed their bark to cleanse the surface. *Pictures of Crape Myrtle Bark Scale were provided by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. It looks like a white speck stuck to the bark of a trunk or branch. The eggs remain protected within the white colored ovisacs until the crawlers (immatures) hatch and disperse onto the branches. I wouldn't worry about the sooty mold since the leaves will be falling soon from the tree. Crepe myrtle scale arrived here a few years ago as an accidental import from Asia. Spots or White Powder on Crape Myrtle Leaves? Prevent exposure by wearing eye goggles, a face mask, waterproof gloves, long sleeves, shoes with socks and pants. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale - What is this white stuff on my crape myrtle trees? Like most gardeners, I was disappointed to see a new pest attack them in 2004 when an insect that looked very much like a large mealybug moved into the North Dallas suburb of Richardson. You can literally wash scale off crape myrtle. This can be a difficult pest to control and it may take m… The disease is a white, spongy wood rot, and it invades wounds in crape myrtles. Photo credit: EDD Maps. The crepe myrtle tree is a beautiful tree that enhances any landscape. Crepe Myrtle White Spots . Despite its usual hardiness, in the spring and fall, some leaves may turn grayish white. Heavily infected flowers may fail to open. And that's what crepe murderers have helped to do this year. This fungal disease grows on the sweet substance excreted by white scale or other sap … Lichens are more likely to grow on crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) in areas with long periods of high humidity and on branches exposed to full sun. Since then, it spread rapidly. Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems of crape myrtle, and it is caused by the fungus Erysiphe lagerstroemia. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Adult females are whitish encrustations that stick to crape myrtle trunks and twigs. Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers and new shoots. Answer from NGA January 13, 2010. Crape myrtle bark scale is easy to identify. I’ve been heavily involved with crape myrtles for 40 years. Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) insect has been found in Fauquier. If you really find the green lichens unattractive, try gently scrubbing the affected bark with a stiff steel brush. The crepe myrtle, sometimes spelled crape myrtle or crapemyrtle, is a large, flowering tree. The bark is supposed to shed, and after it is done shedding, the wood will look like a paint-by-number painting, making it a definite centerpiece in any landscape. This disease – caused by a fungus called Erysiphe – is also seen on other garden shrubs, including lilacs and roses, but each plant has a specific form that only attack it, so powdery mildew on Crape Myrtle cannot spread to lilacs, or vice-versa, although they may appear simultaneously during suitable weather conditions. Many people who call us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps. FYI, there are lots of different kinds of powdery mildew and they attack many different plants -- bee balm, lilacs, euonymus, phlox, squash, roses, etc. It hasn’t grown much since last season and didn’t have any new blooms either. Heavily involved with crape myrtles for 40 years really find the green growing. Turkey tail ( Trametes versicolor ) is a white speck stuck to the bark crepe. 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