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    riverqueen's Avatar
    riverqueen Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 28, 2009, 02:57 PM
    Crêpe Myrtle Tree problems
    I live in coastal North Carolina. The leaves of my two 5 year old crêpe myrtles at the top of my driveway suddenly started to change color then drop. These trees are about 17 feet and have been healthy until now. They are both on drip irrigation and we haven't done a single thing differently with regards to the trees in past years. The leaves turned yellow with dark spots or marks. The entire center of the canopy of both trees is naked.
    Any ideas?
    riverqueen
    KUXJ's Avatar
    KUXJ Posts: 975, Reputation: 97
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    #2

    Sep 29, 2009, 09:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by riverqueen View Post
    I live in coastal North Carolina. The leaves of my two 5 year old crepe myrtles at the top of my driveway suddenly started to change color then drop. These trees are about 17 feet and have been healthy until now. They are both on drip irrigation and we haven't done a single thing differently with regards to the trees in past years. The leaves turned yellow with dark spots or marks. The entire center of the canopy of both trees is naked.
    Any ideas?
    riverqueen
    Hi! riverqueen, and welcome to AMHD :)

    Your myrtle's have Leaf Spot, A fungal disease.

    From your Sister State, South Carolina... Clemson University:

    Has pix of common problems, and list of cures:
    HGIC 2002 Crape Myrtle Diseases & Insect Pests : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

    General Information:
    HGIC 1008 Crape Myrtle : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

    When to prune:
    HGIC 1009 Crape Myrtle Pruning : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina


    More on Crepe Myrtle's:

    See this link at bottom of page:
    Problems of Crepe Myrtle
    Clicking on "Controlling fungal disease's" sends you to a general description of fungus, but try the link's at the bottom.

    See this link, second from bottom of page for pruning:
    Caring for Crepe Myrtle

    When to prune?:
    Best Crepe Myrtle Pruning Time: When To Prune Crepe Myrtle

    Your biggest challenge right now will be cleanup, and disposal of the affected leaves/branches of the tree's.

    (Do not mulch/compost...Bag, and throw out in trash)

    You may even want to remove/replace what mulch you have, with fresh/new, as the old may be harboring the fungus.

    Save these links, as they have a lot of information on problems/fixes for you, and your crêpe myrtles.



    K
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