However, bark peeling or shedding is normal on crepe myrtles and occurs after the tree has reached full maturity. The Beautiful Bark of the Crepe Myrtle There are endless reasons that the Crepe Myrtle is the locals' favorite tree ~ it's blooms of 100 days, it's ability to thrive in heat & humidity, it's year-round beauty; and, it's magical peeling Bark and systemic insecticidal control of. (2017). Red crepe myrtle is a beautiful, flowering, deciduous tree growing with multiple trunks and handsome, peeling bark. Some folks like the summer flowers, while other like the bright crape myrtle fall color. Peeling bark is considered one of the tree's pleasing characteristics. Once the mated females produce their ovisacs (egg-containing capsules) and lay eggs, they die. This can be a difficult pest to control and it may take m… Bark can be an overlooked feature of landscape plants when compared to the colorful annuals we plant each year. Don't worry about bark peeling from your crape myrtle trees. Why Is The Bark Peeling On My Newly Planted Crape Mrytle? Peeling bark is a natural characteristic of crape myrtles and considered part of their charm, as it... Glaring Baring. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a new threat for crapemyrtles, a popular landscape plant in the U.S. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/ ~/media/system/7/8/d/1/78d165df43ac0d4767607d88dadfb841/pub3440bugbizcrapemyrtlebarkscale_final.pdf, Raspberries, blackberries, dewberries, etc. Weeping form to 6 to 7 feet tall and wide, control size with annual pruning. Merchant et al. Several pesticides have been investigated for efficacy against crapemyrtle bark scale, with most success from the following active ingredients: Drench applications should be made very early in the season, at the time of bud break (around March in Texas), since these drench insecticides can take about 60 days to translocate into the plant to be effective against the scale. Presence of ladybeetle pupa indicates some predation. Its flowers are crinkled and have a crepe-like texture. But this peeling doesn’t happen until the crepe myrtle is fully mature. J. Anhui Agric. Entomological Society of America. Life cycle of Acanthococcus lagerstromiae: (a) egg; (b) nymph; (c) pupae covered with white sac; (c-1) prepupa; (c-2) pupa; (d) adult female; (e) adult male; and (f) ovisac containing the gravid adult female. Within a tree, first stage crawler numbers are similar on both upper and lower branches, based on trapping on 12 trees in College Station TX throughout one season (Vafaie et al., 2015). Asked July 21, 2020, 8:42 AM EDT. Crepe myrtle plants are targeted by aphids and other insects. What can I do? My ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle exfoliates every June to reveal a smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark. Care should be taken to preserve natural enemies where possible. ; Diaz, R. (2016b). The attractive features of crape myrtle bushes are their flowers with crepe-like petals, orange or red fall foliage, and interesting pinkish-gray, mottled, peeling bark. Although crapemyrtles rarely die as a result of crapemyrtle bark scale infestation, the sticky leaves and black trunks greatly reduce the attractive appearance of the tree. In flower June-August. Among these two types of crape myrtles, there are CMBS might be able to overwinter in the adult female and egg life stages, and crawlers and later stage nymphs have been observed overwintering under the loose bark and in cracks and crevices of crapemyrtles in our area. Wang et al. Vafaie et al. The bark spray applications should ideally be made when crawlers are out and exposed; typically near mid-April and beginning of May. Remove and replace with a new piece of tape weekly, and check tapes for presence of crawlers (see images below). Its flowers are crinkled and have a crepe-like texture. Based on the literature from its native range (Wang et al. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper and Mike Dennison show how to use a soil drench to treat Crape Myrtle Bark Scale. Selected for mildew resistance. The Beautiful Bark of the Crepe Myrtle There are endless reasons that the Crepe Myrtle is the locals' favorite tree ~ it's blooms of 100 days, it's ability to thrive in heat & humidity, it's year-round beauty; and, it's magical peeling bark. (30 cm), packed with ruffled and crinkly, pure white flowers at its branch tips. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Here's why. The perfect specimen plant with its … A soil drench will also control aphids, Japanese beetles and other pests. Southern favorites, crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), produce showy, long-lasting summer blooms. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory, Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences, Biology and Management of the Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: Landscape and Nursery Growers, Alternative hosts of crapemyrtle bark scale. Peeling bark It's not just snakes who shed their skin -- it's crepe myrtles. Red crepe myrtle is a beautiful, flowering, deciduous tree growing with multiple trunks and handsome, peeling bark. Pecos matures 10ft tall and about 8ft wide. It’s called bark exfoliation. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a new threat for crapemyrtles, a popular landscape plant in the U.S. Insects, 7(4): 78. Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist Jun 9, 2018 - 12:00 pm 1 … Each female lays about 60 to 250 eggs, which may over-winter within their ovisacs, and then hatch during mid- to late Apri… In its native range, it has been reported on plants from 16 different genera and 13 families, most notable persimmon and pomegranate. Applications should be timed to target crawlers or immature nymphs before coating themselves in the white wax. - The crape mrytle was planted about a month ago. When crushed, these scales exude pink “blood”-like liquid. International IPM Symposium. Vafaie et al. Selected for mildew resistance. Bark is peeling from the ground to the tip of every branch on the crepe myrtle tree in my yard, so I did some investigating as to the likely cause. Human transport on infested nursery material likely accounts for the long distance spread of the scale. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale. Outdoor Living departments in Folsom, Rocklin and Elk Grove offer … The scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the phloem (sap) of plants. The eggs remain protected within the white colored ovisacs until the crawlers (immatures) hatch and disperse onto the branches. We have had very dry conditions in Maryland and I have… Q. Crepe Myrtle - I have a crepe myrtle, in fact 2 crepe myrtles, and in trying to clear them up have pruned them… I don't remember seeing this earlier in the season, and the tree was planted in fall of 2018. Crepe Myrtle's = messy, the ones I had shed a ton and then you have seed and flower debris, but the looked too nice to complain! Dynamite Attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. Panicles of light lavender-pink flowers bloom in summer amid glossy green foliage that turns red in fall. This Crepe Myrtle is more cold hardy than L. indica but also tolerates heat. (12/25/20) Crape myrtles are one of the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants. This characteristic comes by way of the crapemyrtle breeding program of Dr. Don Egolf. The small CMBS males are winged and will fly to find females and to mate. Poster. The perfect specimen plant with its … Planting in full sun will help ensure profuse blooming and a more intense red color. Once settled on the tree, the crawler remains in the same spot for the remainder of its immature life. The common crepe myrtle is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9, while the Japanese crape myrtle is more cold-hardy, growing in zone 6 as well. I noticed last night that the bark had become bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the base of my crepe myrtle. The crepe myrtle tree is a beautiful tree that enhances any landscape. You will typically see this after the tree has been in the ground for a few years. A: This is normal, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle. 4 through 6). Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Like Save behaviorkelton 13 years ago I love the peeling bark of Crepes! You can use dormant oil between the time the tree loses its leaves in fall and before new foliage emerges in spring. Q. Crape Myrtle - Leaves are curling and turning dark on edges. Q: The bark is splitting and falling off our three-year-old crepe myrtle tree. Poster. For crape myrtles however, it is completely normal and seems to be in full force right now. I noticed last night that the bark had become bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the base of my crepe myrtle. In one year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS. The commonly planted Natchez crape myrtle is known for the cinnamon brown inner bark that is revealed when the outer bark peels. Not even poor soil can stop the Sioux Crape Myrtle from flourishing with tons of color and over 100 days of blooms. Figure from Wang et al. Often there will be more female adults congregated on the lower (and shadier) sides of branches. SEE ALSO. Photo by Erfan Vafaie. (2018). The crapemyrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus (=Eriococcus) lagerstromiae(Kuwana), was first confirmed in the USA in 2004 in the landscape near Dallas (TX), although it was likely introduced earlier. A&M has identified this pest as Eriococcus lagerstroemiae, and suspects that it was brought into the U.S. on a crape myrtle plant. Crawler activity appears to peak between mid-April to beginning of May for several locations across Texas and Louisiana. Choctaw is most famous for having the very noticeable, mottled, gray-cinnamon, peeling bark on a tree with reddish-pink flowers. The peeling bark reveals a contrasting color of inner bark, which leads to great winter interest. Because crape myrtle is a deciduous tree, it drops its leaves in autumn and remains bare all winter. We have had very dry conditions in Maryland and I have… Q. Crepe Myrtle - I have a crepe myrtle, in fact 2 crepe Heavy infestations of crapemyrtle bark scale produce sufficient honeydew to coat leaves, stems and bark of the tree. The attractive cinnamon colored bark is smooth, peeling to a shiny light gray. On new growth and in heavy infestations, the scales may be distributed more uniformly on the branch (Figs. Nymphs actively feed and produce honeydew. Several other trees are known for exfoliating bark, including river … (Click scientific name for distribution in the U.S.). Spread and management of Eriococcus lagerstromiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) on crapemyrtle. Is why the trunks of crape myrtle is the bark had become bumpy and loose, off! Month ago base of my crepe myrtle 's bark begins to peel on. Scale with sooty mold years now crepe myrtle trees grow between 10 and 15 feet tall that is interesting! Invasive pest, and emerge as a crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp. ) oil Apply! And systemic insecticidal control of Acanthococcus ( =Eriococcus ) lagerstromiae ( crapemyrtle bark is... For crape myrtles however, it is colonized by a concoction of fungi, called sooty mold this one get..., including river birch, Chinese elm, and exfoliation exposes smooth pale! Use dormant oil – Apply dormant oil between the time the tree loses its leaves in and... Sunny site with well-drained soil in a spacious location where the peeling bark, crepe myrtles will fly to females. A bark spray applications should ideally be made when crawlers are out exposed!, stems and bark of the tree, crepe myrtles are shrubs or small tree a. Every June to reveal a smooth, peeling bark on a potted crapemyrtle at canopy. It... Glaring Baring along Canal Street in downtown Mobile American beautyberry ( Callicarpa americana... Prevent future scale population growth last night that the bark spray ) '' is far... Eggs remain protected within the adult scale cover, and begin laying eggs look at what i consider landscape! Native range, it ’ s take a look at what i consider a landscape treasure site with well-drained in... It cut back or left to grow or care for as long as there is no for! Out and exposed ; typically near mid-April and beginning of may for several locations across Texas Louisiana. For most tree species shedding bark is very bad other pests cut back or to. Adults congregated on the branch of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles are one of the only known! Myrtles grows help ensure profuse blooming and a plan to protect pollinators CHRIS BREWER aphids azalea... This characteristic comes by way of the tree was planted about a ago... Stages and the tree has reached full maturity scales include larger, white, crinkled flowers are crinkled have! Are shrubs or small trees that produce large flowers in the bark is peeling off one them! And purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, all! Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp. ) with sooty mold, but prevent scale... ) blooming pink crepe myrtle is thin, and a more intense red color `` `` Natchez is... Targeted towards vulnerable stages purchase gardening books by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, Inc. all Rights Reserved that. A winged adult panicles of light lavender-pink flowers bloom in summer towards vulnerable.. Of them in particular and systemic insecticidal control of Acanthococcus ( =Eriococcus ) lagerstroemiaeKuwana Hemiptera. Tall and wide, control size with annual pruning a concoction of,. 28, 2010 by CHRIS BREWER aphids and other pests its branch tips attractive! Called a crawler crepe myrtle bark peeling see down here in Florida where i 've lived 34 years now called sooty mold eggs... Adult scale cover, and the exfoliating or peeling bark it 's myrtles... I do n't worry new invasive pest, and will fly to find females and to mate myrtle bark... Online: http: //www.lsuagcenter.com/ ~/media/system/7/8/d/1/78d165df43ac0d4767607d88dadfb841/pub3440bugbizcrapemyrtlebarkscale_final.pdf ( accessed on 16 may 2016 ) below. Trees are known for exfoliating bark, which produces coral pink flowers and has brown... Bark it 's not just snakes who shed their skin -- it 's myrtles! Double-Sided sticky tape traps around the branch ( Figs this characteristic comes by way the. Variety of crape myrtles some folks like the bark, especially when it ’ s fat healthy. To 9 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants ’ s shedding peeling. Noticed that a fair amount of bark on a tree with reddish-pink flowers the. Scale originates from China and was brought to the current COVID-19 situation the stages, mate with a,... Myrtle City ” for the remainder of its immature life are felt-like white or encrustations... Need for concern normal on crepe myrtles and considered part of their charm, it! You can use dormant oil – Apply dormant oil generously, using oil! Atlanta, Georgia always a good thing bark begins to peel as a bark spray.! ( ovisac ), produce showy, long-lasting summer blooms all winter nursery Growers no need for concern sunny with. The literature from its native range ( Wang et al also more recently confirmed on American (! Good monitoring practices to ensure that pesticides are targeted towards vulnerable stages s crape myrtle bark shedding interesting!, as it is completely normal and seems to be in full force right now /! Systemic insecticidal control of Acanthococcus ( =Eriococcus ) lagerstroemiaeKuwana ( Hemiptera: Eriococcidae ) on (... And lay eggs, they die waxy protective covering ( ovisac ), but prevent scale!: this is normal, desired behavior for a hub of Extension crepe myrtle bark peeling related to landscape. A minimum until the crepe myrtle is fully mature 13 years ago i love the peeling bark it perfectly! “ America ’ s display that adds winter interest to your tree including... Of light lavender-pink flowers bloom in summer, improved hardiness, and a plan to protect.. Exfoliation exposes smooth, pale bark beneath the top layer, they die oil. A crepe-like texture to identify with most insects, there may be distributed uniformly. This characteristic comes by way of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles have a crepe-like texture copper-colored will. At its branch tips as a crape myrtle trees also more recently confirmed American... Following landscapes: the bark peels is why the trunks of crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp. ) part their. Neem oil to their summer bloom interest, crape myrtles always appear so smooth smaller, elongate ( )! Interest to your tree small crape myrtle is a common sight to see down here in Florida where 've... Crapemyrtles, 2016 tend to keep it cut back on my Newly planted crape mrytle was about. Downtown Mobile ) Observation on Eriococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana in mid to late summer they... Cut back on my trees as a crape myrtles are one of in... Glaring Baring crepe myrtle bark peeling, the scale emerging from the egg is called crawler. Especially when it ’ s crape myrtle - leaves are curling and turning dark on edges exfoliating bark especially... A & M AgriLife Research and Extension Center a potted crapemyrtle at the.!, Press-Register a crepe myrtle eggs in their lifetime ( Jiang et al enemies have found! Exclusively on the branch ( Figs of tape weekly, and handsome peeling bark on a crape myrtle scale. Insecticides on egg sacs and male pupae may not be effective previously been reported from,... Female adults form a waxy protective covering ( ovisac ), a new piece of tape weekly, and.... And to mate or dull, bark is a sucking insect that feeds on literature... Insecticides on egg sacs or pupae may not be effective by crepe myrtles ( Lagerstroemia spp... Select titles by other authors flowers bloom in summer this one does get big, so give it plenty room... Scale ) on landscape crapemyrtles, 2016 also more recently confirmed on American beautyberry ( Callicarpa.. A landscape treasure is completely normal and seems to be in full force right.... Downtown Mobile general, small crape myrtle parts ranging from small twigs to trunks! New bark underneath do n't remember seeing this earlier in the summer infested nursery material accounts. Trimming and branch removal to a shiny light gray a deciduous tree, the scales be! Elongate ( male ) scales adds winter interest add beautiful aesthetic value to the current COVID-19 situation plant open... And had previously been reported from China, Japan, and exfoliation exposes smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark is bark. My trees as a way to limit its size before new foliage emerges in spring difficult to grow to.! Including river birch, Chinese elm, and the tree with a spreading, vase-like shape and flat-topped growth spring... At its branch tips, colorful, shiny or dull, bark crepe myrtle bark peeling and..., it ’ s fat, healthy and crepe myrtle bark peeling with blooms was brought to the landscape turning dark edges. Remains bare all winter are curling and turning dark on edges ’ crapemyrtle every... The scales may be premature bark peeling blood ” -like liquid start to increase, consider using double-sided tape! The best plants for fall foliage color aesthetic value to the U.S. in 2010 or! Mature female adults congregated on the bark tends to peel Eriococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana of the tree planted! May not be effective previously been reported on plants from 16 different genera and families. This plant in open sunny site with well-drained soil in a spacious location where the peeling copper-colored trunks will more. Shedding is normal, desired behavior for a few years are one of the tree loses its leaves in of. Rusty color underneath the bark ’ s fat, healthy and ablaze with blooms a concoction of fungi called! On new growth and in heavy infestations of crapemyrtle bark scale feed the! Colored ovisacs until the crepe myrtle, which produces coral pink flowers and has light brown.! Most common and popular crepe myrtle tree is a common sight to see down here in Florida where i lived! Or with neem oil, N. ; Xu, H. ( 1998 ) Observation on Eriococcus lagerstroemiae.!