Crepe Myrtle: Witches Broom

by Bob Minott
(Atlanta GA)

Crepe Myrtle

I am located in Atlanta GA. I have a 6 ft Crepe Myrtle total consumed with Witches Broom disease. A Cyprus was previously removed and replaced with this tree. I will remove this infected tree. Does it make sense to replace it with another Crepe Myrtle, or would a Dogwood be a better choice?

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Witches Broom
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

Witches Broom is usually formed when there's a bacterial, fungal or other infection in the tree, which tries to contain it by encapsulating it. This then makes the growth of the tree abnormal.

I wouldn't be able to even guess if the same pathogen would infect a tree of different genus, but if there's anything else you could plant, I wouldn't make it something expensive. Maybe try a willow or other low cost and fast growing type of tree, if that would work.

Here's what Wikipedia has to say on the topic.

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