Q: I am puzzled by twigs dropping from the three-year old crepe myrtles in our yard. Three weeks ago I noticed several small branches had fallen around the tree. We did have more wind than usual the night before.

A: You’re seeing a natural early summer phenomenon. I observe small twigs dropping from oak and pine trees also.

Trees put on a lot of lush growth in spring. Now, they lose some of the poorly attached leaves and twigs in preparation for the summer. The small branches that drop from your crape myrtle are long, heavy, and weakly attached.

Gather and dispose of them but don’t worry that your plants are sick.