What is Crape Myrtle Bark Scale? Can it harm my tree? These are all good questions that we see quite often. CMBS is a small, white, sap-feeding insect that lives on the bark of crape myrtle trees.  The adult females look like tiny pieces of popcorn attached near pruning wounds or in the branch crotches.  They are usually 2mm in length.  If you squish the scale, it has bright pink insides.  CMBS does not kill the tree, but it can cause reduced flowering and the scale secretes a honeydew that causes sooty mold.

The good news about CMBS is that we have several treatment options, and now is the time to do it! If you just spot a few, you can squish them.  You can also use soapy water and a brush to remove infestations from your plants.  Scrubbing your tree can also help remove sooty mold.  Ladybeetles are a natural enemy of CMBS, if you prefer to use a biological control option.

Join us on March  10th, 12th, or 25th for the Green Thumbs Up Gardening Series “Crape Myrtles and Myrtle Bark Scale” presented by Williamson County Master Gardener Brenda McIndoo. Brenda will discuss the following topics:

• Selecting your Crape Myrtle Tree
• How to care for your Crape Myrtle
• Pruning Crape Myrtles
• Symptoms and Treatment for CMBS

The Green Thumbs Up is free and open to the public and will be presented at the following locations and times:

Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Boulevard in Cedar Park

Thursday, March 12^th from 7:00-8:00 pm

Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main St. in Round Rock

Tuesday, March 10^th from 6:30-7:30 pm

NEW LOCATION OFFERED!!!

Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Dr. Round Rock TX 78681

Wednesday, March 25th from 10:30-11:30am

For more information on other events please visit our website at:

For more information contact Kate Whitney at klwhitney@ag.tamu.edu or the Extension Office:

512-943-3300.