Is crepe myrtle bark poisonous to dogs?
Crape Myrtle plants are not poisonous to any animals. Ecosystem Service Value: Crape Myrtle primarily attracts bees and other pollinators. Birds often use this small tree for protection. Uses, Other Details: Can also be seen with spellings Crapemyrtle or Crepe Myrtle.Choosing a Planting Location Crape Myrtle Trees need plenty of sun, so choose a bright sunny spot for your planting. They are idea for those hot, dry places where other plants do not thrive, so take advantage of that and use them in places that can be hard to fill.Medium & Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles Your choice should be dependent on the width of the road, sidewalk and your desired effect. Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc).Don’t plant Crape Myrtles in shade. Crape Myrtles perform their best in 6+ hours of blistering full sun per day. Even light shade at various times during the day will greatly reduce flowering, cause the tree to appear thin, and force it to reach for the sun, creating a leggy look.Another controversy surrounding crape myrtles is that they are not native to the United States. They are actually native to China and other Asian countries. These trees first made their way to England and from there to the United States by way of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1786.
How do you treat crepe myrtle bark?
Systemic Treatment: For crepe myrtle bark scale, a systemic drench with an insecticide like Imidacloprid (eg, Bayer 3 in 1) can be applied around the base of the trunk and absorbed by the roots to treat the entire tree. This needs to be done a few times a year for effective control. If you do choose to prune your crepe myrtles, pruning should take place in mid-February to avoid winter injury. Pruning should be done only to shape the tree; not to severely control plant height. Pruning is also not necessary for blooming.Invasive Roots Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks.While crepe myrtles are typically outdoor plants due to their size and sunlight requirements, you can start them indoors from seeds or cuttings. They should be moved outdoors as they grow larger and if you’re looking for them to thrive.From regular suckers that need to be trimmed regularly to a vigorous root system that makes it nearly impossible to get rid of, there are many hidden downsides of growing a crepe myrtle tree. As a nonnative, crepe myrtles also aren’t the best choice for gardeners who want to attract birds and pollinators to their yard.
What time of year do crepe myrtles shed their bark?
Once the flowers fade, it’s summer. After summer, their leaves will be absolutely beautiful, enhancing your fall landscape with bright yellow and deep red leaves. When the leaves fall off and the bark is shedding from a crepe myrtle tree, you will then have beautiful colored wood to mark your yard. In The Shade Crepe myrtles like full sun. While they will tolerate a few hours of shade per day, they need at least six hours of sunlight and are very heat tolerant, perfect for the hot Southern climate. Without the sun they need, they may not have many or any blooms.In addition, crepe Myrtles have shallow, non-invasive roots, making them safe to plant near your house. These trees thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They can grow up to 30 feet tall, so give them enough space.Symbolism: In cultural symbolism, Crepe Myrtle represents love and romance in some Eastern cultures, and in the United States, it is often seen as a symbol of Southern strength and resilience.There are some notable differences between these two lovely crepe myrtles. To start, the flowers of the crepe myrtle bush are much smaller and have a more vibrant fuchsia color than the crepe myrtle tree. The crepe myrtle tree has fairly large flowers that are more of a light lavender color.
What are the disadvantages of Crepe Myrtles?
Some larger Crepe Myrtle varieties have vigorous root systems that can spread widely or become invasive, potentially damaging sidewalks, foundations, and sewer lines. Careful selection and placement of the plant can mitigate these risks. The best time to plant Crape Myrtles is late fall or early spring. Planting in the fall allows the roots to establish themselves before winter dormancy, while early spring planting takes advantage of the upcoming growing season.The two main techniques to multiply your collection of Crape Myrtle are either by saving seeds and growing them in containers for a few years before planting in the garden or by taking semi-hardwood cuttings that will be ready to plant as soon as 3 months after roots begin to grow.Crape myrtles planted in winter, spring, and fall should manage well with just one deep watering per week, but if you choose to plant in summer, you may need to add an extra weekly watering if there are heatwave or drought conditions.Select a site where your crape myrtle will have several feet of spacing all around it. Don’t plant next to walls, fences, large shrubs, etc.Crape myrtles are very hardy, so they are very forgiving during periods of neglect or over pruning, but imagine the display of flowers your plant will give you with the proper care! Newer branches won’t be able to hold the weight of the blooms due to growing too long and weak especially when wet.
How do I know if my crepe myrtle is a bush or a tree?
Crepe myrtle bushes tend to grow shorter with a shrubby form. They often have several stems growing from the base. These are great as ornamental shrubs, border plants, or in group plantings. Crepe myrtle trees, on the other hand, grow upright. While pruning a tree is always a good idea for long-term health, crepe murder happens when crepe myrtle trees are overpruned. Overpruning is described as cutting back of main branches or “topping”. Since crepe myrtle trees grow naturally into a pretty form, they don’t need to be trimmed too much.Susceptibility to Certain Pests and Diseases Despite the availability of resistant cultivars, some Crepe Myrtles are still susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew. These issues can detract from the plant’s beauty and health if not managed properly.Crepe myrtle trees are not only beautiful additions to gardens, but they also help to improve people’s health. The trees help in inhibiting certain types of cancer, aids in bone repair, and slows down aging. It does this through its chemical compounds.Crepe Myrtle” has a long heritage of usage in the South and is still used more often than “Crape Myrtle,” though both spellings are considered correct. If you are ever unsure of which spelling to use, just remember that both are correct, and you can’t go wrong!