The primary pest of crape myrtles in our area is crape myrtle bark scale (CMBS). These insects suck the sap from branches and trunks, and then excrete a sugary substance called honeydew on which black sooty mold grows. One of the main predators of CMBS is the twice stabbed lady beetle apply named for the two red spots on its black body. Both the adults and the larva feed on CMBS. | GardenLine

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Kerry Heafner demonstrates how to properly prune a crape myrtle. | LSU AgCenter

How to properly prune a crape myrtle without harming the tree. Join Alicia, our ISA Certified Arborist and Horticulturalist here at Verdant Landscape, as she explains the right way to prune a crape myrtle. WHY we prune Pruning should always have a clear objective: • Create clearance • Reduce risk • Improve structure and/or shape • Remove dead or broken branches WHEN to prune The best time to prune crape myrtles is during the dormant season, typically December through mid-February. HOW to prune •