I have two Crepe Myrtle trees in my front yard. One is healthy, the other one (about 30 feet away) has not really grown at all in the 6 years I have been in my house. I pollard the healthy one every other year and it is growning and thriving. The other just sits there, looking sickly, with a black powder over most of the trunk and limbs. It does grow leaves and grows a paltry amount of flowers, so I know it is not dead. Does anyone know what this black moldy looking stuff is? Is it a mold? Some kind of a disease? I am starting to see some of this stuff on my healthy Crepe Myrtle, but it does not seem to have affected growth yet. Thanks in advance for anyone who can help.
I have not ever SEEN any insects on the tree, and it is everywhere. Is that really all it could be? If so, what's the solution?
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Sooty mold can be a serious problem. I trust you're doing true pollarding, cutting the limbs back to the same place every year.
Is there any other big plant or tree above it? Like a birch? Linden? Other? Just thought it might be worth the mention in case the Crape Myrtle may need no attention regarding treatment.