OT: carpe myrtle bark scale

[NTDawg]

I have several crape myrtles, two really big. Thankfully the two big trees don’t seem to be infected but two of the smaller ones are, one bad and the other not too bad. Any advice? Thanks

 

[Dawgbite]

I hate a Crap Myrtle, let the two die, kill the other two and plant something else. You will thank me later.

 

[hydrodawg]

I have several crape myrtles, two really big. Thankfully the two big trees don’t seem to be infected but two of the smaller ones are, one bad and the other not too bad. Any advice? Thanks

May be lichen. If it is, then it is ok and will not hurt plant.

 

[NTDawg]

Thank you. You are extremely not helpful.

 

[cowbell88]

Here you go.

https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p2938.pdf

 

[moturfdog]

Without seeing the affected trees it is hard to diagnose. If this scale appears black and can be cleaned easily from the bark it is most likely excretions from aphids or leaf miners. An insecticidal soap or an application of imidacloprid or bifenthrin.

• Crape myrtles are commonly attacked by crape myrtle aphids. This often leads to a black fungus, called sooty mold, forming on leaves and branches in mid- to late summer. Control these insects by treating your trees now with the systemic insecticide imidacloprid (various brands, check with the staff at your local nursery). This is applied as a drench at the base of the tree.

 

[NTDawg]

The one that has the worst infestation is turning black with little white specs.

 

[ob dog]

Has become common in Memphis area. It is infestation. White scales need to be scrubbed off or washed off with some amount of water pressure. There is a systemic that can be mixed with water and poured around roots. May have to do that a couple of times. Check with any large nursery for name of systemic. I think it is made by Bayer. Been 3-4 years since I had to treat mine

 

[mcdawg22]

My Latin is a little rusty but is that Seize the myrtle?

 

[SpeckTaker]

I hate a Crap Myrtle, let the two die, kill the other two and plant something else. You will thank me later.

They are the messiest tree on planet earth. Constantly dropping something (blooms, berries, leaves or bark). Can’t hardly kill them when you want to.

 

[Shmuley]

Seize the crappy shrub

 

[turkish]

What do you detractors recommend as an alternative landscape “tree?”

 

[Dawgbite]

.

What do you detractors recommend as an alternative landscape “tree?”

I am switching everything over to Palms, trees and smaller bushes. Even as far north as North Ms there are varieties that will survive the winters. The up front cost is higher but they require minimal upkeep and maintenance. They do not shed and rarely need trimmed.

 

[Mr Todd French]

What moturfdawg said. Most likely aphids. If you’ve ever stood under a CM and felt s mist that’s aphids dropping honey dew on you. This create the black mold. Bayer makes a good granular 3 in 1 for trees or stop by you local co-op and they can get you something. I used horticultural oil for scale.
Vitex tree are good sub for CM. Also sweet bay magnolia, and Savanah hollies.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

What do you detractors recommend as an alternative landscape “tree?”

Bradford Pears, duh.

 

[JoMo MoJo]

What do you detractors recommend as an alternative landscape “tree?”

River Birch.

 

[Bulldog45]

If your two smalls ones have it the big ones eventually will. I avoided it until the fall. At that point they were going dormant so I had to apply a solution with a sprayer. Supposedly you can apply a drench to the roots in the spring that will take care of it for the summer. The guy told me once you have it it’s here to stay so you will have to treat annually. He also said if you ever cut them down burn them don’t just haul them off.

 

[gdogg]

Pressure Wash the hell out of them. It will restore them back to normal look. then drench the roots.

 

[aTotal360]

I'll take a crepe myrtle over a 17ing sweet gum.

 

[Lowdog]

River Birch.

Great tree! But god they are messy as 17. I moved to a house that has a large mature river birch, never had one my yard before, it constantly dropping limbs every time the wind blows. In spring I pick up a handfuls of limbs every other day or when the wind blows. And this tree is healthy. And the roots grow to the surface.

 

[turkish]

I liked river birches until I actually had some in my yard. As long as they’re 100 yards from your house or any space your family spends much time, they’re great. For flower beds and landscapes near the house — junk.

 

[DancingRabbit]

What do you detractors recommend as an alternative landscape “tree?”

Subject to sun/shade and size wanted, you could look at dogwoods, japanese maples, maybe a holly or plum variation.