Looks like something is bleeding out of the mulch. Where did you get it?

Speaking of mulch, your tree is buried too low in the mulch. The mulch against the bark will result in a fungal disease which slowly kills the tree (over the course of several years). You can make a crater hole in the mulch down until you see the roots flaring out. That will save the tree. But this has nothing to do with the lawn issue.

I just found out my yard guy sprayed weed and grass killer on the mulch a few months ago. That could probably be it. I’m hoping that doesn’t kill the tree. Worried now.

Grass is showing effect but how about the tree itself? I've read that crepe myrtle trees especially established, are VERY tough so I wouldn't worry that much. It's hard to see but if mulch is touching the trunk, I would push it away. Was it recently planted? Curious about the stakes.

Adri: it was planted a year ago. Im planning on pulling up the stakes next month

Next fire the yard guy

Called the people who put it in said it’s the top of the root ball and that it should be fine. Should I still flatten it out?

Dig around and see. The most important thing to see is the root flare...it needs to be exposed.

tj

rather than dig.. scratch around.. do you see the root flare??? ..

bark is supposed to be in the air.. and remain basically stay dry ... if buried in mulch.. it will stay wet.. and that could harm the tree ... especially if the root flare is buried .....

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffcm&q=root+flare&iax=images&ia=images

grass killer needs to hit green tissue ... to kill .. bark is not green tissue .. and i highly doubt they applied enough to saturate the mulch.. which still isnt green tissue ... imo.. its not really an issue with the tree/shrub.. unless they went bat crap crazy.. and somehow hit the leaves up above ... lol .. trying to picture that ...

what the heck is all that loose bark????.. chance at a closer pic???

ken

If the herbicide was sprayed a few months ago, look at the leaves and see if they are at all malformed or distorted. Taht is the way that herbicide damage usually presents in a deciduous tree. If the concentration was to kill weeds, it usually doesn't kill trees, and it is usually the drift that hits the trees, as opposed to them taking it up systemically. The tree, even if affected, is usually fine when it leafs out again next year. But I agree, fire the yard guy!

Ken - that’s normal crepe myrtle bark shedding

Thanks Sara. Leaves look ok and I scratched the bark and the tree is nice and green underneath and I believe that’s also a good sign of health for cepes.