My Crape Myrtle Tree Has Fuzzy Stuff On Branches, Is It Fungus?

Question

I live in zone 9b, Santa Rosa CA. My crape Myrtle tree looks terrible, bare small branches, yellow leaves curling. Our growing Maple Tree is taking away a lot of the sun it used to get. It still flowers beautifully late Summer, but the foliage is clearly trying to tell me something. How can I help my tree?

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Answer 1

The fuzzy growths look like lichen, which is harmless, however it often appears on declining trees. If you aren't fertilizing the tree, try that using a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. The decreasing light could be adding to the tree's problems. The yellow spots on the leaves could be from aphid feeding. Check the undersides of leaves for tiny, oval pests. Cut out any dead branches to the ground.

Here is more information that should help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/crape-myrtle-diseases-insect-pests/

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/crapemyrtle.html