If your crape myrtle's leaves have a grayish-white, powdery coating on them right now, you're not alone. Powdery mildew tends to spread fast across the Piedmont Triad this time of year, especially after the humid stretches we've had lately.
It's not usually a tree killer, but it can distort new growth, stunt flowering, and make a tree look stressed and unhealthy for the rest of the season. Crowded plantings and shady spots with poor air circulation tend to get hit the hardest.
Pruning to open up the canopy and improve airflow is often the most effective long-term fix, more so than treating the symptoms after the fact. It's something we look at during any trimming visit this time of year.
Have you noticed a powdery coating or distorted new growth on any crape myrtles or other flowering trees on your property?
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Close-up photo of crape myrtle leaves showing the powdery white coating, ideally paired with a wider shot of the affected tree from a recent job.
Canva text suggestion: "Powdery Mildew Is Spreading" or "Check Your Crape Myrtles"