Blog Layout
Liriope's Muse - Tree Care Tips From A Master Arborist
Liriopes Muse: Crape Mytle Bark Scale (CMBS)
Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia spp.) are cherished for their vibrant summer blooms and striking bark. However, these beautiful trees and shrubs face a growing threat from crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae). This invasive pest, first identified in the U.S. in 2004, can cause significant damage if left unmanaged. In this blog, we’ll explore what crape myrtle bark scale is, how it affects your plants, and the best ways to manage and prevent an infestation.
What is Crape Myrtle Bark Scale?
Crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS) is a sap-sucking insect that belongs to the Eriococcidae family. Native to Asia This invasive insect has been spreading across the United States, causing concern for gardeners, landscapers, and arborists alike. CMBS primarily infests crape myrtles but can also affect other plant species, such as persimmons and pomegranates.
Identification
Identifying CMBS early is crucial for effective management. Here are the key characteristics:
- Appearance: Adult scales are small, about 2 mm long, and covered in a white or gray, waxy coating. They often appear as white, felt-like encrustations on the bark, branches, and twigs.
- Eggs and Nymphs: Eggs are pink and hidden beneath the waxy coating. Nymphs, or crawlers, are tiny, pinkish-red, and mobile, spreading to new areas of the tree.
- Sooty Mold: A black, sooty mold often develops on the honeydew excreted by the scales, covering leaves, stems, and even the trunk in black.
Impact on Crape Myrtles
CMBS can significantly impact the health and aesthetic value of crape myrtles:
- Reduced Vigor: By feeding on the plant’s sap, CMBS weakens crape myrtles, reducing their overall vigor. This can lead to fewer blooms and slower growth.
- Aesthetic Damage: The presence of scales and the black sooty mold they cause can make crape myrtles look unsightly, detracting from their ornamental value.
- Increased Vulnerability: Stressed plants are more susceptible to other pests and diseases, compounding the impact of a CMBS infestation.
Managing Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
Managing CMBS requires a combination of cultural practices, biological controls, and, in some cases, chemical treatments.
1. Cultural Practices
- Regular Monitoring: Regularly inspect your crape myrtles, especially during the growing season, to catch any signs of CMBS early.
- Pruning and Disposal: Prune out heavily infested branches and dispose of them properly to reduce the scale population. Do not compost infested material, as it could spread the pest.
- Maintaining Plant Health: Healthy plants are more resistant to pests, so ensure your crape myrtles receive adequate water, nutrients, and care.
2. Biological Control
- Natural Predators: Encourage beneficial insects like lady beetles and parasitic wasps, which naturally prey on CMBS. Avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides that can harm these helpful predators.
3. Chemical Control
- Insecticidal Soaps and Oils: These can be effective against the crawler stage of CMBS. Thorough coverage is essential, so apply these treatments during the growing season when crawlers are most active.
- Systemic Insecticides: Products containing imidacloprid or dinotefuran can be applied as a soil drench or trunk injection. These treatments are absorbed by the plant and can provide long-term control. It’s important to follow label directions carefully and apply these treatments in late spring or early summer for best results.
Preventing Future Infestations
Preventing future infestations of CMBS involves being proactive:
- Inspect New Plants: Before planting new crape myrtles or other susceptible species, carefully inspect them for signs of CMBS.
- Quarantine: If you’re bringing new plants into your landscape, consider quarantining them for a period to ensure they are pest-free.
- Community Awareness: CMBS can easily spread between plants and properties, so educating your neighbors and community about the signs of infestation can help protect everyone’s landscape.
Crape myrtle bark scale is a serious pest that requires prompt and effective management to protect your crape myrtles. By staying vigilant, practicing good cultural care, and employing appropriate biological and chemical controls, you can keep your crape myrtles healthy and beautiful. As with any pest, early detection and intervention are key to minimizing damage and ensuring the long-term health of your landscape.
If you suspect a CMBS infestation or need assistance with treatment, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional arborist or your local extension service. Together, we can preserve the beauty and health of our crape myrtles for years to come.
Read our Previous Posts!
Liriope’s Muse - Expert Tree Care Tips
Give your trees the boost they need with our organic, all-natural biostimulant service. Contact us today to schedule your bi-annual application and watch your landscape thrive!
Winter can be harsh on your trees. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can stress even the hardiest species, leaving them vulnerable to damage as the seasons change. As a board-certified master arborist, I’ve seen how proper post-
Lichen is a fascinating organism that often raises concerns among tree owners. Many homeowners notice lichen growing on their trees and wonder if it poses a threat to the health of their landscape. As a BCMA, I clarify it in this blog
The northern red oak (Quercus rubra) has been named the 2025 Tree of the Year! Check out this blog to learn more about the significance of this tree!
Decorating outdoor trees is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer and bring festive charm to your yard. However, it’s essential to ensure that your decorations do not harm the very trees you’re adorning. Follow these dos and don’ts to keep
As winter paints the world in frost and snow, evergreen trees stand as steadfast sentinels of life and vitality. Unlike their deciduous counterparts that shed their leaves, evergreens maintain their verdant splendor through the coldest months,
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to appreciate the trees that have quietly shaped this holiday. From the orchards to the forests, trees are woven into our traditions in more ways than we realize.
Pine tip borers are small yet highly destructive pests that can severely damage pine trees if left unchecked. Understanding how to identify these pests, their lifecycle, and their effects is essential for keeping your trees healthy and thriving.
Pine bark beetles are tiny but mighty pests that can wreak havoc on your pine trees. They spread quickly, introduce harmful pathogens, and often mean certain death for infested trees.
Hiring a tree service company can be a big decision, and not all companies offer the same level of quality, safety, and reliability. Your choice of service provider can impact not only the longevity of your trees but also the safety of your
The post oak (Quercus stellata) is a remarkable native tree species, known for its rugged beauty, hardiness, and ecological significance. Check out this blog to learn more !
Planting trees is one of the most impactful ways to improve your landscape and benefit the environment. However, choosing the right season to plant can make all the difference in helping a tree thrive. Check out this blog to learn more!
Insurance companies are increasingly pressuring homeowners to prune or remove trees under the guise of liability and safety concerns and in doing so they are murdering healthy and otherwise safe trees.
If you've ever wandered through a forest, admired a sprawling oak, or simply observed the trees in your yard, you might have wondered where these beautiful plants got their color. Check out this blog to learn more!
When it comes to environmental activism, Julia Lorraine Hill, also known as "Butterfly," stands out as a symbol of dedication and courage. Check out this blog to learn more about Julia and how her determination saved many historical trees.
CODIT is an acronym for Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees. This term is used in the tree care industry to describe the processes that occurs when a tree is wounded.
A common concern among our customers is the impact of tree roots on their yards, particularly regarding the health of their driveways and sidewalks and maintaining the overall aesthetic appeal. In this blog, we'll explore the reality of how roots work.
Trees are remarkable organisms that continually adapt to their environment. Among the many fascinating behaviors they exhibit, tropic leaning and mechanical leaning are often misunderstood.
In our profession, we often come across the most unique and beautiful of creatures. Today we had the chance to meet a Polyphemus Moth caterpillar!
Natural disasters bring out the best and worst in people... and open up communities to unscrupulous services. Read this blog to understand price gouging and how to report it in times of disaster.
Living in a city doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the joys of homegrown fruit! In this blog we delve into planting and care tips to keep fruit trees thriving in your yard year round.
In this blog post, I’ll delve into what carbon sequestration is, how trees contribute to it, and why it’s vital for our planet’s health.
In the tree industry, we are constantly coming across trees who have fallen victim to herbicide damage. in this blog we will delve into what herbicides are and their effects on trees.
Do you have a dead tree in your yard and dont know what to do with it? In this blog we will explore all of your options from recycling, repurposing, and removal!
Much like humans, trees have a natural balance called mass damping. Check out this blog to see how storm pruning can throw off this balance.
Explore the botanical marvels, ecological significance, and the cultural and economic impacts of the Texas Pecan Tree in this blog!
From its humble origins in the American South to its widespread popularity in landscapes worldwide, the magnolia continues to inspire awe.
We don’t yet have the answer to this age old question and the chances are we won’t be around long enough to find out, but check out this blog for the closest answers we have.
Ever wondered the similarities between a Certified Arborist and a Doctor? Check out this blog that details the fascinating parallels between the two industries.
The dry and hot conditions of Houston’s summers are hard for even the most resilient of trees to survive. Our Board Certified Master Arborist, Eric Putnam, has compiles a list of 7 tips that can help ensure your beloved trees stay healthy
I recently took a short trip to the beautiful sunshine state of Florida (St. Petersburg) to bask in the sun and take in the nature, and thought I’d share some of my discoveries with you all in this blog!
Phytophthora is a root rot disease that plagues plants of all kinds, causing emmense economic and environmental loss across the world. This pathogen or 'Plant Destroyer' as it kills its host starting from the roots and growing upward
It's important to keep your trees in mind during the construction process, let us help you help preserve your trees!
Spring has sprung, which means the rainy season is upon us! If your yard turns into a pond this time of year or is prone to flooding in general, you may want to consider planting a Cypress tree.
Read this informative blog about the International Day of Forests and learn what part you can play in conserving our environment.
In this blog we are covering the dangers of using damaging equipment on living trees and how diseases can be transferred.
Want to get your trees into tip-top shape for spring? Well now is the time to do so! In this blog, we cover the best time of the year to prune your trees!
Dealing with pesky overhanging tree branches? Are they yours to trim? Read this blog now to find out your rights!
Should Roses really be number one? Read this article to find out why we think wildflowers are way more beautiful and important.
While Crape Murder is a very real thing, it might now be exactly what you think it is. Read more to find out all about the history of the trees and why they need to be pruned.
Stump grinding is a highly effective and efficient method used to remove unsightly tree stumps from your property. Learn the ins and outs of stump grinding in this comprehensive blog.
The woodpecker is a very interesting and not often talked about species. So in this blog, we will be highlighting the fascinating life of these ubiquitous birds!
If you're considering hiring an arborist to care for your trees, you should know what they do, why they do it, and their qualifications. Read now to find out!
(832) 479-0335
Website & Tree Service Marketing by: