Q.Crepe Myrtle Tree Leaves Haven’t Developed Through Spring And Summer
I have an established Crepe Myrtle tree that looks poorly. The tree was lightly pruned in early winter after the leaves had fallen and by the end of Spring had not changed. It is now mid-summer and the branches have grown odd buds but they have not sprouted leaves. My local nursery had not seen this before and thinks it could be a virus. Can you recommend a treatment? Thanks.

The "odd growth" of new foliage reminds of witches broom on hydrangeas. It is caused by direct or nearby applications of chemicals or by aster's yellow virus in hydrangeas. But, I am in Texas so I will let someone else chime in. CMs here are typically very hardy and drought tolerant in our similar summers but I have not seen it in my 40 year-old CMs so far. I will ask around and post again if I find something.