Thank you for contacting the Dallas County chapter of Texas Master Gardeners. As a volunteer organization whose mission is to provide research-based home horticultural information to the general public, we welcome your questions and are happy to be of assistance.
I am sorry to hear your newly planted crape myrtle is not doing well. Unfortunately, I was not able to open the photos you sent, however, I do have some information you may find helpful to solve the problem it is having.
Crape Myrtle Overview
The following link is an overview of growing crape myrtles in Texas:
Note this important section from the overview:
"The ideal planting site is in well prepared, well-drained soil, with full sun exposure and good air circulation. Crape myrtles planted in partial or full shade will have reduced flowering and increased disease susceptibility."
Reduce Watering Frequency We have had a wet spring in the Dallas area with above average rainfall. You have indicated you are watering three times per week in addition to the rainfall. Without knowing the location of the crape myrtle in your yard, I would venture your crape myrtle is overwatered and is suffering from poor drainage.
Knowing when and how much to water can be a challenge for gardeners.
The following website--WaterMyYard--from Texas A&M, is a great tool for determining when (and how much) to water your yard.
I highly recommend use of this website. You can check it regularly, before you water, or you can sign up for emails that will tell when and how much you need to water. I have been able to considerably reduce watering in my own yard using this tool. We previously set our automatic sprinklers to run on a schedule. Now we only water when the site says we need to do so, which is considerably less than I ever could have imagined before using this great tool. The yard looks better than ever before, too.
If you don't have one, the purchase of an inexpensive garden water meter (soil hygrometer) can also help you determine the degree of moisture in your soil. This inexpensive tool, usually less than $15, consists of a soil probe and a small meter. Some newer ones are digital. You can buy these at most garden centers and nurseries. Here is an example from Amazon, although this is not an endorsement for Amazon or this particular item:
Sometimes, soil looks dry, and a moisture meter will reveal it is quite moist and vice versa. A garden moisture meter can also be used on indoor plants. Note: Do not store your moisture meter outside.
Planting It may be helpful to review the planting of your crape myrtle, since you recently planted it and you recently lost another young tree planted in the same area. The following tree planting guide from TAMU has a video on planting trees. It is important to not plant the tree too deep - the root flare (where the trunk gets wide and meets the soil line) should be visible - and mulch should not be bunched up around the trunk. When digging a hole for a tree, think wide, not deep.
If your tree is planted too deep, since it has only been planted a few months, you should be able to carefully remove the root ball and add soil beneath to ensure proper height.
Always ensure the root flare is visible. This article has some great color photos of root flare and describes how root flare is critical to tree health:
Check for and remove any visibly girdled roots.
Mulch
Properly applied mulch will also benefit your crape myrtle. If you are concerned your tree may dry out when you reduce watering, add mulch to the base of the tree, per the guidelines in the TAMU Tree Plant Guide (earlier link - Texas Tree Planting). Mulch works in multiple ways. First, it protects the soil by moderating soil temperature. Second, it helps hold the moisture in by reducing evaporation. Third, it breaks down to form organic material that increases the quality and fertility of the soil. Regular mulching over time will enhance soil drainage. This overview of mulching (and composting) may be helpful:
Summary
Best wishes for your crape myrtle's recovery.
Kindly,
Sarah
Hi Dallas County,
Question #0026003 has been assigned to you by SYSTEM (Auto Assignment)
Crepe Myrtle Drooping Leaves
Hi there! I purchased and planted a crepe myrtle in mid April this year in my backyard. I live in North Dallas/Richardson. It was doing well when I planted it. It produced leaves (purchased/planted before it had leaves), and then once all of the rain came I noticed that the leaves are drooping. I assumed it was due to not enough sunlight but now that it has stopped raining it hasn’t perked back up. The ground receives a lot of water, it is watered 2-3 times per week with a sprinkler hooked up to my grass sprinklers. I have already had one other tree die here (small magnolia planted this time last year as well). Anything I can be doing to save this tree?!
From: Laura Lamar
Submitted: 06/14/2021 11:42 AM
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