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?

Comments for Crepe Myrtle: Witches Broom

Click here to add your own comments

May 29, 2019

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.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.