Several owners have contacted me about some dark gooey stuff on their crepe myrtles and possibly other shrubs and asking how serious it is and what if anything needs to be done.

According to John and Lisa Tokarz with Landscape Technologies, its Azalea Felt Scale. Apparently, it isn’t harmful and can be scrubbed off with a wet towel. It can also be treated with Bayer Tree Insect Disease and Mite Control, available at Home Depot. The Tokarz’s deemed what they saw in Lake Point as very mild. In more severe cases the trees appear black.

If you think you have a more severe case and would prefer not to treat it yourself I’m sure Landscape Technologies would be glad to give you a quote to spray it. Again, it’s not harmful to the tree or shrub.