Question
QUESTION: My crepe myrtle tree which is about 12 years old has shedding a lot of yellow leaves this summer and hasn't bloomed as profusely as usual. What could be causing this?

ANSWER: Judi:
If most of the yellow leaves are interior leaves and have no small black spots, I suspect it is related to the hot/dry conditions that this plant is or has experienced lately.

Regards
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for responding so quickly. It is not just inner leaves.  The yellow ones are all over the tree which is about 40' high.  I have sprinklers that water for 40 minutes every other day as it is in the middle of my lawn.  The weather has been hot and dry but we have been having a lot of rain for the last 6 weeks.

 I was wondering if it was lacking some nutrient.  By the way this is in the panhandle of FL.

Answer
Judi:
A nutrient imbalance is possible, however the soil moisture issue may still be a possibility.  Even though the lawn may be getting enough, we need to do a deep watering to the roots of the shrub.  Just a hose trickle 1-2 hrs should be enough during those hot dry periods.

You can get a soil test for nutrients usually done through your local county Extension office- and it is usually free too. If you strike out there, you can get some information through the local nursery/garden center about getting this done.  

Scratch a few smaller twigs near their ends with your fingernail.  If it is green beneath, then the tissue is still alive.  Check a few places to get an overview.

Steve