Question
I have one crate myrtle in my back yard with four soft touch Holies around it in a flower garden. It has been beautiful with large white blooms for three years.This year I noticed the bark was turning black on one of the trunks and appeared to be dead. I cut it off and the tree has splits in the other two trunks and appear to be dead. No leaves nor green in the bark . Don't have a clue as to what could have happen.All my crate myrtle are looking as though they have this same problem.Can you please help? Thank you Rena

Answer
First, what state do you live in, and what area? Some crape myrtles are not hardy to northern states (above maryland) and our exceptionally dry, cold winter has taken a toll on a lot of plants, especially borderline hardy plants. If you do live in a Northern state and you live in a relatively windy area, you should place your crape myrtles in a more protected area of your yard.