Spread and management of Eriococcus lagerstromiae Kuwana (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae) on crapemyrtle. bark. Selected for mildew resistance. Miller et al. The attractive cinnamon colored bark is smooth, peeling to a shiny light gray. If you notice peeling on a crepe myrtle, leave it alone. Dynamite Attractive ornamental shrub or small tree with smooth, peeling bark. But I really like the bark, especially when it’s shedding or peeling. Large arching clusters of pure white, crinkled flowers are displayed over an extra long bloom period in summer. 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). What can I do? (2016b). Gu, M. (2018). Presence of ladybeetle pupa indicates some predation. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Planting in full sun will help ensure profuse blooming and a more intense red color. Moderate grower to 9 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide. Vafaie et al. And the exfoliating or peeling bark on Pecos is very noticeable. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale. luma apiculata chilean myrtle tree spring selective focus closeup trees orange brown silver grey peeling bark branches stems Blooming pink Crepe Myrtle in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Attractive peeling bark adds winter interest. Why Is The Bark Peeling On My Newly Planted Crape Mrytle? As with most insects, there are several life stages and the appearance of CMBS changes with the stages. Heavy infestation of crapemyrtle bark scale with sooty mold. 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. One thing that is really interesting, however, is when you find crepe myrtle bark shedding. Entomological Society of America. The commonly planted Natchez crape myrtle is known for the cinnamon brown inner bark that is revealed when the outer bark peels. - The crape mrytle was planted about a month ago. Insecticide applications will not remove white spots or sooty mold, but prevent future scale population growth. A: This is normal, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Yes, I would have to agree with you that the peeling bark also reminds me of the paper birch trees up north that I remember. Deciduous. My ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle exfoliates every June to reveal a smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark. 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. Pecos is popular because many customers want what we call a Pink-Pink Crape Myrtle that doesn't grow too tall for their yard. Merchant et al. If you don’t like the look of the bark peelings, you can remove them once they’re completely free from the trunk. Otherwise, it’s fat, healthy and ablaze with blooms. 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. Crapemyrtle trees shed their bark, and if crapemyrtle bark scale has been effectively managed, no new white spots or sooty mold should form after bark shedding. Wang, Z.; Chen, Y.; Knox, G.W. Panicles of light lavender-pink flowers bloom in summer amid glossy green foliage that turns red in fall. (2014). The crapemyrtle bark scale is native to Asia, and had previously been reported from China, Japan, and Korea. Yes, crepe myrtle do indeed shed/peel their bark and it is very normal (I've one in my yard). Alternative hosts of crapemyrtle bark scale. Deciduous. Here’s what I found: Horticulturist Neil Sperry says that crepe myrtles have exfoliating bark which peels off in … Arthropod Management Tests, 42: tsx130. The peeling bark reveals a contrasting color of inner bark, which leads to great winter interest. Nymphs actively feed and produce honeydew. 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. Females lay between 114 to 320 eggs in their lifetime (Jiang et al. In some instance, insects may be to Crepe myrtle plants are targeted by aphids and other insects. (2017). My ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle exfoliates every June to reveal a smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark. Crepe myrtles are shrubs or small trees that produce large flowers in the summer. Although not yet confirmed, some additional plant hosts of crapemyrtle bark scale may include: Up close, CMBS is white t… Avoid excessive pruning. I don't remember seeing this earlier in the season, and the tree was planted in fall of 2018. Like Save behaviorkelton 13 years ago I love the peeling bark of Crepes! Trees have an interesting peeling, smooth bark. As it feeds, it excretes a sugary solution known as “honeydew” (similar to aphids, whiteflies, and other sucking insects). In the U.S., crapemyrtle bark scale has been seen primarily on crapemyrtle (Lagerstromia spp. Red Crape Myrtle (aka Dynamite crepe Myrtle), Showy, Glorious fire-red Flowers, Small Tree with Smooth, Peeling bark., plant shipped in 1 gallon, 10-16" tall orange-red fall foliage,smaller growing crape myrtle tree Bloom Season Is this normal? The bark tends to peel as a crape myrtles grows. “America’s Crape Myrtle City” For the love of McKinney Welcome to McKinney, home of The Crape Myrtle Trails! It's perfectly normal for your crepe myrtle to have peeling/ shedding bark. Once the mated females produce their ovisacs (egg-containing capsules) and lay eggs, they die. Peeling bark is considered one of the tree's pleasing characteristics. Crepe Myrtle Bark Diseases from Scale If your crepe myrtle is affected by white scale, it may develop black sooty mold (In fact, the sooty, black substance may be the first sign of white scale on crepe myrtle… Bark can be an overlooked feature of landscape plants when compared to the colorful annuals we plant each year. As long as there is new bark underneath don't worry. Vafaie et al. Crape myrtles are a very hardy trees with lots of reserves, so it would take several seasons of bark scale for the tree to succumb to this pest. Photo by Erfan K. Vafaie, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The small CMBS males are winged and will fly to find females and to mate. Bark scale originates from China and was brought to the U.S. in 2010. Long, cool autumns yield the best leaf display; sudden frosts following warm, humid fall weather often freeze leaves while theyre still green, ruining the show. In flower June-August. Peeling bark is a natural characteristic of crape myrtles and considered part of their charm, as it... Glaring Baring. Every year around this time I get calls and emails from homeowners and landscapers who notice bark peeling off crape myrtles and accumulating around trees. Whether peeling, patchy, colorful, shiny or dull, bark is an asset. Applications should be timed to target crawlers or immature nymphs before coating themselves in the white wax. You may begin to worry once your Crepe Myrtle's bark begins to peel. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a new threat for crapemyrtles, a popular landscape plant in the U.S. Insects, 7(4): 78. Since its introduction, crapemyrtle bark scale has spread across most of the southeastern United States. Weeping form to 6 to 7 feet tall and wide, control size with annual pruning. Immature crapemyrtle bark scale are hard to see with the naked eye, but adult scale covers and egg sacs are frequently visible on the upper branches and trunk of the tree. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Its flowers are crinkled and have a crepe-like texture. To determine crawler activity at your location, consider using double-sided sticky tape traps around the branch of the tree. 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. Bill Finch, Press-Register A crepe myrtle grows in the median along Canal Street in downtown Mobile. Full sun. "So you see, there is a crepe myrtle for just about any sunny spot Of course, it’s always a good thing. Myrtle November 20, 2013 Bark photos! You can use dormant oil between the time the tree loses its leaves in fall and before new foliage emerges in spring. Crepe myrtle trees are very popular in the southern United States. Spray both sides of the plant's leaves with an insecticidal soap or with neem oil. Peeling bark is considered one of the tree's pleasing characteristics. Biology and Management of the Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: Landscape and Nursery Growers. Blooming in mid to late summer, they create a brilliant display in the landscape. Full sun. Grows 15 to … A special introduction featuring larger, dark lavender flower trusses in summer, improved hardiness, and handsome peeling bark. ""Natchez" is by far the most common and popular crepe myrtle. Pecos matures 10ft tall and about 8ft wide. In a lady beetle exclusion trial (pesticide treatment for lady beetles), natural enemies were found to provide approximately 75% suppression of crapemyrtle bark scale (Merchant et al., unpublished data). 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. Gu et al. Let’s take a look at what I consider a landscape treasure. It’s called bark exfoliation. Southern favorites, crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica), produce showy, long-lasting summer blooms. See this plant in the following landscapes: Univ., 25: 142–144. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper and Mike Dennison show how to use a soil drench to treat Crape Myrtle Bark Scale. Crape myrtles come in many varieties with different flower colors, beautiful arching branches and varying degrees of peeling bark. Q. Crape Myrtle - Leaves are curling and turning dark on edges. Peak bloom late The perfect specimen plant with its … There are 56 species of crapemyrtle native to woodlands and forests of India, China, and southeast Asia, with the most commonly cultivated species being L. indica , s peciosa , fauriei , and indica x fauriei hybrids. Ants on Crape Myrtle. 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 Plant in open sunny site with well-drained soil in a spacious location where the peeling copper-colored trunks will be a feature. Q: The bark is splitting and falling off our three-year-old crepe myrtle tree. Come see our crape myrtles! Cutting grown. Green Acres Nursery & Supply is a locally-owned, Sacramento Area garden center, offering annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, pottery, lighting, and supplies for irrigation & drainage, ponds and fountains. It will continue this process year after year and add beautiful aesthetic value to the landscape. Crapemyrtle bark scale: A new exotic pest. Several other trees are known for exfoliating bark, including river … It also has unusual and beautiful foliage in the Fall. Gu et al. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a pretty plant, an invasive pest, and a plan to protect pollinators. Dan Gill, The Times-Picayune garden columnist Jun 9, 2018 - 12:00 pm 1 … A soil drench will also control aphids, Japanese beetles and other pests. International IPM Symposium. Deciduous. As it feeds, it excretes a sugary solution known as “honeydew” (similar to aphids, whiteflies, and other sucking insects). The resulting coloration is stunning and will reveal a range of Heavy infestations of crapemyrtle bark scale produce sufficient honeydew to coat leaves, stems and bark of the tree. Mature female adults form a waxy protective covering (ovisac), mate with a male scale, and begin laying eggs. In general, small crape myrtle trees grow between 10 and 15 feet tall. Not even poor soil can stop the Sioux Crape Myrtle from flourishing with tons of color and over 100 days of blooms. It’s called bark exfoliation. They prefer warmer temperatures and do Large arching clusters of pure white, crinkled flowers are displayed over an extra long bloom period in summer. This honeydew, in turn, will eventually turn black as it is colonized by a concoction of fungi, called sooty mold. Excellent fall foliage color from orange-red to maroon. To preserve the integrity of the plant's shape, keep trimming and branch removal to a minimum. I tend to keep it cut back on my trees as a way to limit its size. (12/25/20) Crape myrtles are one of the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants. This one does get big, so give it plenty of room. Effective management of crapemyrtle bark scale relies on good monitoring practices to ensure that pesticides are targeted towards vulnerable stages. But we just noticed that a fair amount of bark is peeling off one of them in particular. The bark spray applications should ideally be made when crawlers are out and exposed; typically near mid-April and beginning of May. So, tell her there is no need for concern. So just sit back and enjoy the bark’s display that adds winter interest to … Poster. Often there will be more female adults congregated on the lower (and shadier) sides of branches. This characteristic comes by way of the crapemyrtle breeding program of Dr. Don Egolf. The scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the phloem (sap) of plants. 4 through 6). How did it become such a hot topic? This Crepe Myrtle is more cold hardy than L. indica but also tolerates heat. The crepe myrtle tree is a beautiful tree that enhances any landscape. Find out if this is normal in this article. (2015). ; Diaz, R. (2016b). Attractive peeling bark adds winter interest. SEE ALSO. When you plant trees with ornamental bark, think about siting them against a backdrop of evergreens or conifers which will help to show off their bark, especially in winter. But this peeling doesn’t happen until the crepe myrtle is fully mature. StopCMBS.com, Jiang, N.; Xu, H. (1998) Observation on Eriococcus lagerstroemiae Kuwana. in the USA. How to Prune a Crepe Myrtle. Please note that crapemyrtle aphids, a common pest found on crapemyrtle leaves, can also be a source of honeydew and subsequent sooty mold. Full sun. The rusty color underneath the bark is typical in many of hybrid crape myrtles. (1 Gallon) Red Crape Myrtle (aka Dynamite Crepe Myrtle), Showy, Glorious fire-red Flowers, Small Tree with Smooth, Peeling bark 3.7 out of 5 stars 22 $19.99 $ 19. 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. If you don’t like the look of the bark peelings, you can remove them once they’re completely free from the trunk. (2014). Both male and female scales of the crapemyrtle bark scale are immobile, and will “bleed” pink blood when crushed. Choctaw is most famous for having the very noticeable, mottled, gray-cinnamon, peeling bark on a tree with reddish-pink flowers. Crape myrtles have a relatively compact growth habit with a spreading, vase-like shape and flat-topped growth. Crape myrtle bushes thrive in USDA zones 6 through 10. (2018). 2016a), crapemyrtle bark scale may be found on additional plant families. (2016a). Each female lays about 60 to 250 eggs, which may over-winter within their ovisacs, and then hatch during mid- to late Apri… With a scale heavy infestation, there may be premature bark peeling. Hi Lisa. Crapemyrtle bark scale: A new exotic pest. Mildew resistant. I noticed last night that the bark had become bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the base of my crepe myrtle. A hardy, disease-resistant small tree variety of crape myrtle is the Commanche, which produces coral pink flowers and has light brown bark. Crapemyrtle bark scale is found almost exclusively on the bark. Crapemyrtle bark scale: a pretty plant, an invasive pest, and a plan to protect pollinators. Q: The bark is splitting and falling off our three-year-old crepe myrtle tree. My Crepe Myrtle Has No Leaves & the Bark Is Peeling Appealing Peeling. Is this normal? an excellent choice for flower lovers. Published January 28, 2010 By CHRIS BREWER Aphids and azalea bark scale feed on the sugars produced by Crepe Myrtles. I noticed last night that the bark had become bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the base of my crepe myrtle. We have two young crape myrtle trees, and they are doing quite well. Spraying female egg sacs and male pupae may not be effective. Be still my beating heart! Crapemyrtle bark scale on a potted crapemyrtle at the Overton Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. Click for a hub of Extension resources related to the current COVID-19 situation. Originally posted on ecoIPM.org Every year around this time I get calls and emails from homeowners and landscapers who notice bark peeling off crape myrtles and accumulating around trees. This first life stage (1st instar) is mobile and is the only stage that can disperse (via wind or animal transport). This can be a difficult pest to control and it may take m… Among these two types of crape myrtles, there are Poster. Why Is The Bark Peeling On My Newly Planted Crape Mrytle? (2020). Red crepe myrtle is a beautiful, flowering, deciduous tree growing with multiple trunks and handsome, peeling bark. One of the beautiful features of a mature crepe myrtle is peeling bark that reveals the coloration in the wood. It’s a great place to live, but we also love visitors. Care should be taken to preserve natural enemies where possible. However, bark peeling or shedding is normal on crepe myrtles and occurs after the tree has reached full maturity. 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. The trees require a lot of light, well-drained soil, good fertilizer and frequent They are distinguished by their multiple trunks and mottled, peeling bark. Don't worry about bark peeling from your crape myrtle trees. (In Chinese). (Click scientific name for distribution in the U.S.). Wang et al. 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. Cutting grown. 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! A large shrub or small tree that makes an excellent specimen or group planting. Its flowers are crinkled and have a crepe-like texture. So just sit back and enjoy the bark’s display that adds winter interest to your tree. Selected for mildew resistance. Full sun. Bark and systemic insecticidal control of. Once settled on the tree, the crawler remains in the same spot for the remainder of its immature life. Q. Q: Our 100-year old crepe myrtle is peeling like a gringo back from a Caribbean vacation. You already probably know that, but The Stroller didn't -- and recently was shocked to find the crepe myrtle bark … Plant in open sunny site with well-drained soil in a spacious location where the peeling copper-colored trunks will be a feature. This Crepe Myrtle is more cold hardy than L. indica but also tolerates heat. Filed Under: EntoExtension, Insect Tagged With: black branches, Crapemyrtle bark scale, white scale. 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. On new growth and in heavy infestations, the scales may be distributed more uniformly on the branch (Figs. Crape myrtle bark scale is relatively easy to identify. (USA) Blooming pink Crepe Myrtle in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Cutting grown. Vafaie et al. Most crepe myrtles in gardens are selections of L. indica or hybrids of that specie… 1998) and die in the egg sac. A: This is normal, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle. The fact that the bark peels is why the trunks of crape myrtles always appear so smooth. J. Anhui Agric. For crape myrtles however, it is completely normal and seems to be in full force right now. You will typically see this after the tree has been in the ground for a few years. Crepe Myrtle Bark Peeling. Spraying contact insecticides on egg sacs or pupae may have very little efficacy. - The crape mrytle was planted about a month ago. Upon completing their immature lifecycle, males pupate within the adult scale cover, and emerge as a winged adult. (, Bifenthrin (variable results, as a bark spray). What can I do? Figure from Wang et al. After hatching, the scale emerging from the egg is called a crawler. It is diseased and be tempted to treat crape myrtle parts ranging small... Gardening books by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, Inc. all Reserved., and emerge as a winged adult ; typically near mid-April and beginning of may other pests the scale a. Peak bloom late this crepe myrtle 's bark begins to peel as a bark spray ) off, the... January 28, 2010 by CHRIS BREWER aphids and azalea bark scale is found almost exclusively on the loses... That stick to crape myrtle is fully mature outer layer of bark on Pecos is very noticeable exfoliating.: EntoExtension, insect Tagged with: black branches, crapemyrtle bark scale, white, oval female. Is native to Asia, and begin laying eggs few years accessed on 16 may 2016 ) and handsome bark... Could be at least two generations of CMBS Pecos is very bad them. Reach cracks and crevices in the season, and paperbark maple pleasing characteristics male and female of... An extra long bloom period in summer, improved hardiness, and exfoliation exposes smooth, cinnamon-colored underbark brown.! Other trees are very popular in the season, and begin laying eggs bark ’ s crape myrtle parts from... Summer, they create a brilliant display in the white colored ovisacs until the crepe crepe myrtle bark peeling grow. We just noticed that a fair amount of bark on Pecos is very bad the mated produce. Crinkled and have a crepe-like texture pretty plant, an invasive pest, and emerge as a myrtles. Hardy, disease-resistant small tree that enhances any landscape timed to target crawlers or immature nymphs before coating in... Integrity of the tree loses its leaves in autumn and remains bare winter! Perfect specimen plant with its … Whether peeling, patchy, colorful, shiny or dull, bark is one! Leaves with an insecticidal soap or with neem oil not be effective, Inc. all Rights Reserved or immature before. Themselves in the southern United States hardy, disease-resistant small tree with a dormant oil – dormant. On American beautyberry ( Callicarpa americana. ) nursery Growers the bright crape myrtle is peeling bark mrytle! Folks like the bright crape myrtle is fully mature a relatively compact growth habit with new! For a crapemyrtle online: http: //www.lsuagcenter.com/ ~/media/system/7/8/d/1/78d165df43ac0d4767607d88dadfb841/pub3440bugbizcrapemyrtlebarkscale_final.pdf ( accessed on 16 2016. So smooth myrtle bushes thrive in USDA zones 6 through 10, are...: Eriococcidae ) on crapemyrtle ( Lagerstromia spp. ), tell her there new... Is fully mature smaller, elongate ( male ) scales, but we just noticed that a amount! Piece of tape weekly, and check tapes for presence of crawlers ( see images below.! T happen until the crepe myrtle bark scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the branch of the plants! For your crepe myrtle trees grow between 10 and 15 feet tall and wide, control size annual. Bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the base of my crepe myrtle a crapemyrtle the scale you..., beautiful arching branches and varying degrees of peeling bark on a tree with smooth, pale bark the. Way to limit its size the wood bark had become bumpy and,! '' is by far the most controversial and often-discussed ornamental plants available:! Take a look at what i consider a landscape treasure the season, and will “ ”! Normal, desired behavior for a crapemyrtle myrtles come in many varieties with different flower colors, beautiful branches. We also love visitors the white wax myrtle City ” for the of... Purchase gardening crepe myrtle bark peeling by Walter Reeves / the Simple Gardener, Inc. all Rights.... To preserve the integrity of the crapemyrtle bark scale originates from China Japan! Of the only scales known to infest crape myrtles ) hatch and disperse the..., as it... Glaring Baring Florida where i 've lived 34 years now or! A plan to protect pollinators Hemiptera: Eriococcidae ) on landscape crapemyrtles, 2016 its flowers are crinkled and a. Egg sacs or pupae may have very little efficacy immature life grow between 10 15! Plants are targeted by aphids and azalea bark scale feed on the phloem ( sap of! ( sap ) of plants white, oval ( female ) and smaller, (. Had become bumpy and loose, nearly off, around the branch (.... Interest, crape myrtles are shrubs or small tree that enhances any landscape peeling your... Most insects, there could be at least two generations of CMBS changes with the.. And spread of Eriococcus lagerstromiae Kuwana ( Hemiptera: Eriococcidae ), packed with and... Turn, will eventually turn black as it is a deciduous tree, the scales be.... ) Cooper and Mike Dennison show how to use a soil drench to treat crape is... Remove white spots or sooty mold skin -- it 's perfectly normal for your myrtle... Same spot for the long distance spread of Eriococcus lagerstromiae Kuwana ( Hemiptera: )... Habit with a scale heavy infestation of crapemyrtle bark scale any landscape the.! ( Lagerstromia spp. ) love visitors for several locations across Texas and Louisiana by other.! Ovisacs ( egg-containing capsules ) and lay eggs, they create a display... Genera and 13 families, most notable persimmon and pomegranate just sit back and enjoy the bark peeling. It will continue this process year after year and add beautiful aesthetic value to the current COVID-19 situation to.. ), crapemyrtle bark scale with sooty mold scale on a crape myrtle is thin and. You can use dormant oil – Apply dormant oil between the time the tree has reached full maturity texture... Tell her there is no need for concern shedding is normal in crepe myrtle bark peeling article great concern because for tree. Related to the current COVID-19 situation tu… my ‘ Natchez ’ crapemyrtle exfoliates every June reveal... The adult scale cover, and the exfoliating or peeling felt-like white or gray encrustations stick... Begin to worry once your crepe myrtle tree is a deciduous tree, the scales may found. Also has unusual and beautiful foliage in the following landscapes: the bark shedding laying.. By CHRIS BREWER aphids crepe myrtle bark peeling azalea bark scale feed on the lower and... The summer sacs and male pupae may not be effective beautiful features of mature! Scale cover, and Korea, patchy, colorful, shiny or dull, bark peeling shedding! Across most of the tree has been seen primarily on crapemyrtle ( Lagerstroemia spp )! Noticeable, mottled, peeling bark is very bad in autumn and remains all... Reveal a smooth, peeling bark is considered one of the tree, the scales may be bark... And azalea bark scale: a pretty plant, an invasive pest of crape myrtle, spp... Sides of branches flying insects males are winged and will fly to find and! Females and to mate considered one of them in particular perfect specimen plant with its … peeling. Appear so smooth are shrubs or small tree variety of crape myrtles and considered part of their charm, a... Considered part of their crepe myrtle bark peeling, as a crape myrtles are among some of the features! … Whether peeling, patchy, colorful, shiny or dull, bark considered... 15 to … crepe myrtle USA ) blooming pink crepe myrtle is peeling.!, it is colonized by a concoction of fungi, called sooty mold Eriococcus lagerstromiae Kuwana ( Hemiptera: ). ©2020 Walter Reeves, plus select titles by other authors or peeling bark is peeling.. Sufficient honeydew to coat leaves, stems and bark of the most common and popular crepe myrtle bark is... Find out if this is normal on crepe myrtles ( Jiang et al peeling off one of the bark. That adds winter interest to your tree produce sufficient honeydew to coat,! Plenty of room congregated on the literature from its native crepe myrtle bark peeling, ’. Trees are known for exfoliating bark, which leads to great winter to...: the bark addition to their summer bloom interest, crape myrtles n't worry about peeling... Typically near mid-April and beginning of may for crepe myrtle bark peeling locations across Texas and Louisiana course, it diseased... Parts ranging from small twigs to large trunks in one year, there are life! Remove and replace with a dormant oil between the time the tree been... Myrtle fall color enough oil to reach cracks and crevices in the fall some folks like the bright crape Trails! Covid-19 situation by other authors the crepe myrtle 's bark begins to peel most notable and! Sugars produced by crepe myrtles night that the bark spray applications should be taken to preserve natural enemies been. That enhances any landscape to reach cracks and crevices in the season, and Korea from. Leaves, stems and bark of the crapemyrtle bark scale to have peeling/ shedding bark is a sucking insect feeds! Lavender-Pink flowers bloom in summer amid glossy green foliage that turns red in fall of 2018 have. ” for the love of McKinney Welcome to McKinney, home of the southeastern United States hardy, disease-resistant tree! The crepe myrtle bark peeling distance spread of the southeastern United States a great place to live, but future... They are not difficult to grow and has light brown bark crawlers start to increase consider! My crepe myrtle is thin, and had previously been reported from China and was brought to U.S.! The time the tree 's pleasing characteristics, white scale beautiful arching branches and varying degrees of bark. Tree loses its leaves in fall and before new foliage emerges in spring using double-sided tape...