Most crape myrtle trees will send up lots of shoots from the base, especially when they are younger and growing rapidly. To maintain a pleasing tree shape, regularly remove these shoots — called ...

Leaf spot is another cause of the observed leaf drop. Leaf spot can be caused either a bacterial or a fungal pathogen. Again, trees drop their leaves in response to the stress.

Common problems are crape myrtle aphids and Cercospora leaf spot. Most trees get crape myrtle aphids during summer. Only when populations are high from year to year is control necessary.

Many crape myrtle trees across the D.C. region are infested by a bug called bark scale, which leaves behind a black fungal infection. A cure is elusive.

A poorly pruned crepe myrtle tree can turn into an eyesore with twiggy growth and a lack of flowers. Follow this guide to keep your tree in tip-top shape.

DEAR JANET: My crape myrtle tree does not seem to be doing well this year. It only has leaves from certain limbs and has not leafed out as it has in the past. How do I address this?

Question: I have noticed the bark coming off my crape myrtle trees and shrubs. Is this normal? Answer: Many residents feel this is an attractive feature of crape myrtles. Some, like the white-flowe… ...

Don’t commit ‘Crape Murder.’ Here’s how to properly prune a crape myrtle tree Kimberly Cataudella March 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM ...

Visually, crepe myrtles and hostas would make a lovely pair. Whether they're growing as large trees or smaller bushes, crepe myrtles offer your yard a pop of color with their clusters of blooms ...

Cutting the entire crown of a crape myrtle tree, known as “crape murder,” can make the tree more susceptible to insects and diseases. Courtesy of Leaf & Limb, a Raleigh-based tree care company ...

The single-trunk crape myrtle is a popular street tree that grows 15 to 25 feet tall and usually does not interfere with power lines. If you have limited space, consider a semi-dwarf variety that ...