Why do crepe myrtles weep?

Answer: That's the honeydew secretion from crape myrtle aphids. You'll see them congregated on the plants' leaves and new growth, generally from mid-summer on. By the time the leaves are completely coated in the residue the populations will be severe.

Why do my crepe myrtles drip water?

The sap that drips from the Crape Myrtle tree is actually sap passing through the aphid as it feeds. The turgor pressure in the leaf is so great, that the sap goes right through the aphid and out the other end!

Does a crepe myrtle tree cry?

So, it's not actually your crape myrtle weeping, but the crape myrtle aphids that are causing the problem. The insects are active from May through September, says RTEC Treecare. These insects damage tree tissue by feeding on the soft parts of the tree, and they reproduce rapidly.

Do crepe myrtle trees drip water?

You're not alone! Our arborists are getting a lot of calls about trees, Crape Myrtles especially, being coated in sap and dripping it onto walkways, cars, and patio furniture. What most homeowners are surprised to find out is that this substance isn't actually sap. It's honeydew (aka insect excrement).

What does Overwatered crepe myrtle look like?

How do I know if my crepe myrtle has too much water? Wilted or curling leaves that may turn brown at the tips or edge. A sparse canopy of off-color and undersized leaves, leaf scorch or yellowing leaves. Untimely fall color and early leaf drop.

Why Is My Crepe Myrtle Weeping?

Can crepe myrtle get too much water?

Overwatering crape myrtles in spring and summer can diminish flowering, since overly moist soil promotes leafy growth, not flower production.

How often should crepe myrtles be watered?

Crape Myrtle Water Requirements

Crepe myrtle likes a medium amount of water and prefers consistently moist soils where it can get it. However, once established, it is quite drought-tolerant and will subsist on a deep watering – to a depth of 6 inches or so – once or twice per month, reports Wilson Brothers Gardens.

Why is it raining under my tree?

The aphids feed on the liquids in the leaf of the tree. This "sap" is high in sugar and low in protein, so a large quantity of sap must be consumed. Surplus water and sugar (in the form of a syrupy substance called honeydew) is excreted by the aphids. This is the material "raining" down.

Why is my crepe myrtle shedding bark?

Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding – A Perfectly Normal Process

It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed.

What is the sticky stuff on my crepe myrtle?

They're also shiny and sticky. What causes that? Answer: That's the honeydew secretion from crape myrtle aphids. You'll see them congregated on the plants' leaves and new growth, generally from mid-summer on.

What kills crepe myrtle aphids?

Attract beneficials to help provide control. Spray the tree with a molasses solution (2 ounces of molasses to 1 gallon of water) and then release lady bugs (available at some garden centers). You also could treat with neem or a horticultural oil. Once the aphids are gone, the sooty mold will gradually disappear.

What is the largest crape myrtle?

The tree with a height of 34 meters and a girth of 1.9 meters is the tallest and largest crape myrtle species in the world, hailed as the Lord Crape Myrtle. As a survivor of the Tertiary Period, the tree is considered as a living fossil and is currently under the state protection.

How fast does Muskogee crape myrtle grow?

The 'Muskogee' crape myrtle height is about 21 feet, advises Clemson Cooperative Extension. The tree spreads about 15 feet wide. It's a fast-growing tree averaging 12 to 24 inches per season.

Should loose bark be removed?

When a tree has been damaged by removing a ring of bark, the tree may die depending on how completely it was girdled. Removal of even a vertical strip of bark less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree will harm the tree, but not kill the tree.

How often do crepe myrtle trees shed their bark?

Once the tree reaches full maturity, about one to two years after being planted, you can expect bark exfoliation every year in some varieties. Depending on rainfall, other types have been known to shed bark every other year.

How do you treat bark scale on crepe myrtles?

How do I treat for crapemyrtle bark scale? Systemic insecticides work very well to control the bark scale, but the timing is most effective when applied in late winter/early spring. If you are just now spotting the problem, you can clean off the trunk with warm, soapy water to remove the black sooty mold.

Why is my tree dripping water from leaves?

One call was about a maple dripping water. The plant phenomenon is called "positive root pressure," he says. Positive root pressure means the tree's plumbing system is responding to warm weather. Fine and major roots are taking up water from the soil and sending it into the limbs and branches to help buds break.

Why do trees weep water?

Wetwood-causing bacteria enter trees through wounds in the roots, trunk or limbs. Once inside, the bacteria produce gas within the tree. Pressure mounts, and eventually runny liquid seeps out through openings in the bark. The liquid starts out thin and transparent, then becomes a slimy, smelly ooze.

Why do some trees spit water?

Water pressure builds to a point where the plant is simply forced to release the liquid, exuding it fluid through specialized glands. Guttation frequently occurs in tropical plants when high humidity inhibits the natural transpiration, which is simply the loss of water vapor inside the plant to the outside air.

Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle turning yellow?

ANSWER: This is Cercospora leaf spot due to all the rain. In most instances, infected leaves develop a yellowish to orangey red coloration then fall off. Raking and removing infected fallen leaves is a good idea. But crape myrtles are so common this will not prevent future problems.

Why are the leaves on my crepe myrtle curling?

Answer: The curling leaves are probably caused by lawn chemicals, probably a phenoxy herbicide. Phenoxy herbicides are frequently sprayed on lawns to control broadleaf weeds. When a small amount of this herbicide from careless spraying or drift gets on a plant like crape myrtle it causes this sort of leaf curling.

What is the best fertilizer for crape myrtles?

Fertilizers including 8-8-8, 10-10-10, 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 will work fine and are ideal for crape myrtles, but don't go overboard. Overfertilizing trees will cause excess growth and reduce the number of blooms on each tree.

How do you know if a crepe myrtle needs water?

Only during longer periods of drought will established crape myrtle require supplemental water. If you see new leaves wilting or the tips of new stems bending over during dry weather this could be a sign your plants could use a good deep soaking.

How often should I fertilize my crepe myrtle tree?

Begin fertilizing in Spring with the fertilizer of your choice (liquid, slow release or granules), when the first leaves start to appear. Established, well rooted, Crape Myrtles are heavy feeders. Lightly fertilize every two weeks throughout the spring and summer months. This will promote optimal new growth.

Does a crepe myrtle need full sun?

Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. With less sunlight, blooms will not be as prolific and their colors may be diminished. These plants are not demanding about the pH of their soil, though neutral or slightly acidic soils are best.