Crape Myrtle Bug?

14 years ago

I have a very pretty crape myrtle in my front yard with beautifully shedding bark. However, I noticed a couple of months ago, that shedding bark was giving way to a very disfigured looking trunk underneath. There are these knots now, that almost have spread all over where the trunk begins to branch (it's been pruned into a tree with one single trunk). I also noticed a couple of these little bugs (not aphids) that were under the bark that was loose but had not fallen off yet. I posted photos on my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/3pbees/ you can see about 5 or 6 photos, including one of the trunk and how beautiful that bark is. I am just wondering if this is normal. It just doesn't *look* normal. Thanks for any help or advice. :-)

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
14 years ago
i know nothing about CM's ... but that wont stop me .. lol ...

second pic.. the advantageous sprouts coming from the opposite side.. indicate to me that this tree is in very bad shape ... it is damaged.. and extremely stressed ...

i think the bugs are secondary ... solving any bug issue may not help the tree as a whole..

i think we need some pix of the whole.. to determine if treatment of the bugs is worthwhile ...

if the tree is terminal .. then we can solve the bug issue.. by getting rid of the tree ...

in my world.. warped as it is.. i would be looking to plant some replacements .. so that when this tree fails .. sometime in the next few years .. the replacements will be well established ...

few more pix, plz

ken

ps: in the alternative ... someone may come along.. who knows CM's and say that is all normal bark shedding.. and the tree looks healthy as all get out ... hmmmmm
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
Looks like borer damage to me. Crape myrtle borers have become an 'issue' in some parts of the country. What is your general location?

I see a little critter in the one image, but can't really tell for certain what it might be. Too small.
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3PBees
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks guys. I really appreciate y'all taking the time. I'm in San Antonio, Texas. I will take more pictures of it today and post them. I was out there yesterday and man, I just don't see any critters other than the one or two that I took a pic of. Grrrr.
3PBees
Original Author
14 years ago
Just wanted to let you all know, I added more photos. I also see there are more bugs. This can't be good.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crape Myrtle Mystery Bug Photos
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
That tree doesn't look all that large. You could cut it down yourself. That sure is what I would do....soon.
3PBees
Original Author
14 years ago
why would you cut it down?
Debbie Meehan
10 years ago
Did you figure out what was wrong with your crepe myrtle? One of mine has the same issue and your the only one I can find with it also. If you have any answers, please share.
kimmq
10 years ago
Talk with the people at your local Texas A & M Cooperative Extension Office about borers in Crape Myrtle. Some sources suggest spraying while others state emphatically that spraying does little and the only control is removal of the affected tree and burning of the wood, kind of similar to the control of the Emerald Ash Borer.

kimmq is kimmsr