Question
Last fall we trimed our crape myrtle right back. I have noticed this spring that the new growth is very slow,( to date only 5-6 inches), and there is a soft white powder on the leaves. I have also noticed, only recently, there is a white thread like growth growing out of the trunk areas ( 1-2 inches long )Any information I've been able to find, tells me the powder and curling of the leaves is a type of powder fungus, however I have not been able to find any information about the strings coming of the trunks.Our location is the south east area of Georgia, close to the Florida border. Our tree has always been healthy and full in the past. We only seemed to develope this problem since we trimed it . Is the tree in danger, and/or what can we do to get it back healthy again

Answer
The tree has a fungus called powery mildew. It can be controlled with the use of a fungicide. Here is a link to the information on the disease and the control measures. The fungicides can be bought at any garden type store and are easily applied. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3047.html