The Absent Relations of the Mysterious Crape Myrtles

It has been a long, but fluctuating transition of emotions from the first time I sat at my chosen patch of trees to today. When I learned I had been assigned to choose a field site where I would spend time pursuing natural history, I would have never imagined it would have been this one. Perhaps it had never really stood out to me, or perhaps I never really let it do so. Since the moment I moved to Salisbury, I have been consumed by a series of daily tasks driven by my responsibilities as a student. I would drive to school and back, mostly, with the exception of the grocery store and the vet. Not until after I was brought, through a class requirement, to connect with a location in this area did I ever think I would spend my time taking in the natural world by the leasing office of my apartment complex.

My “spot” is alongside the entrance road of my apartment community. If you were driving into its entryway, the location of the trees would be on your left, directly across from the leasing office.  This spot is truly beautiful, complete with a wooden bench trimmed in green metal that sits on a bed of mulch in front of a tiny fenced pond. Outlining the mulch is a row of crape myrtle trees that have, at times, captivated me beyond belief. From the first moment I identified what they were, I began to research into them. Unfortunately, all I would find were tips on how to grow them, as well as pictures of the infinite varieties of crape myrtles. But, that’s not exactly what I was hoping to find. Instead, I hoped to find the explanations for why people wanted them in their yards - were they really that aesthetically pleasing? Sure, they have gorgeous flowers and a stunningly captivating multi-trunk uprising, but why are they suddenly present everywhere one turns, a dominant feature these days of most landscape designs? After a long chat with her, I learned that this community once was a strawberry field. How interesting. She also told me that the crape myrtles were planted there as part of an intricate landscape design. I wonder if she knew whether they were planted for their beautiful sight or their resistance to most wildlife.

After several days and weeks of research I found information on one of the worst crape myrtle pests around. Surprisingly, there are very few pests or diseases that invade crape myrtles, which I suspect is among the main appeals of this tree chosen by many to be included in landscapes. According to a Home & Garden online article, the pests that do attack this species include the Japanese beetle, primrose flea beetles, crape myrtle aphids. and a whole lot of fungi. Inadvertently, this immunity to most diseases and pests, although attractive to individuals, are what distinct crape myrtles from the natural world.

In addition to my lack of any insight into the cultural assumptions leading to dominance of crape myrtles, I found that the crape myrtle was not very welcoming to other wildlife. Although at one point I thought I saw a nest up in the branches, I could have been mistaken because it was no longer present during my next visit. I also noticed that the hours I spent examining the patch of crape myrtles, the birds that would visit the location would typically rest their feet on branches other than those of the Crape myrtle.

Part of natural history is the observations and analysis of relationships among living things. Personally, I have always had a fascination with the way different species interact with each other. Unfortunately, that is not something I encountered with this patch of crape myrtle trees. Not only were these trees excluded from the beauty and wonder of the natural world that surrounds them, but they also felt empty in a way. They lacked wonder and greeting. Needless to say, after having spent an entire semester observing these trees, I began to feel sad and lonely for them. In a way I could say I felt their frustration of exclusivity from surrounding natural interactions. Anthropogenic activity has bred these crape myrtles specifically for aesthetic pleasure without any consideration for natural rituals among different species of plants, trees, and wildlife. These trees were designed to repel nature, rather than invite it. As weeks went by, I truly began to wonder what these trees thought or felt or if they even could. I even began to wonder what they would wish for if they had the chance, or at least if there was a culture among their species similar to that of our species.

 Disappointingly, I could not find many articles discussing the true culture of crape myrtles. It’s as if the trees descended from another planet rather than having co-evolved in an earthly landscape.  Well, I did find that they are from China, as well as other parts of Asia, but that did not seem enough, at least not for me, to develop my own conclusions about that other world in which these trees are indigenous and actually play a significant biological role in the landscape as well as the human culture emerging from that landscape.  

But Crape myrtles here and there have found new cultural niches in their new-found home: it turns out that an annual crape myrtle parade is held annually in South Carolina hosted for and by the gay community of that region. I found this to be quite interesting. Could it be that the gay community felt inspired by crape myrtles? I suppose it makes sense that they would choose a colorful, extravagant, and flamboyant species of tree to identify with. Perhaps it even captivated the gay community how segregated these trees may feel at times, similar to themselves. Maybe I should think about interviewing a South Carolinian regarding this parade to further investigate this culture that associates with crape myrtles.

Another very interesting detail of this ongoing exploration has been the slow transition of the buds at the peak of the branches. Yes, of course the weather has made it easy for us all to be confused, but other trees have bloomed beautifully, leaving more to be desired from those suspicious crape myrtles. Nonetheless, their mystery and placidity might also be another reason to choose these trees as part of one’s landscape design. Since the crape myrtle species tend to bloom later in the year nearing halfway through the summer, it gives to some a much-anticipated prequel to the fall. To others however, the timing leads to much disappointment. Bee enthusiasts might think the timing of the crape myrtles is perfect due to the high necessity of nectar and pollen sources during that time of year, but unfortunately crape myrtles repel nature rather than invite it.

Nonetheless, no matter how gradual and detached these crape myrtles might seem from the natural world, they sure do create a picturesque display, much like the exhibit of cherry blossoms that demanded notice all of last week. Needless to say, the cherry blossoms longed to finally welcome the spring. Their light pink and white petals lay across the roads in bounteous fashion, almost as one would visualize in a fairy tale. These cherry blossoms light up the neighborhood by filling it with liveliness and lavish color. Only can only hope the crape myrtles will do just that, once the time is right…

It has now been several days since my last visit to my spot filled with crape myrtles. I was rather surprised to see they were eager to update me on their new leaves and abundant color. Their small leaves had now the shape of small, round leaves with a strong hint of lime green. Some of the crape myrtles have more leaves than others, which make me wonder if they are competing with each other. They all have the same access to the sun. Could they be competing for another source? Also, as part of my ongoing investigation on these crape myrtles, I have reached out to Sposato Landscape. This landscape company provided my apartment community with a beautiful landscape design. Sposato’s landscape design artists, whom I have reached out to for information and input, were responsible for choosing the crape myrtles. At least that was the information I could gather from the men working on them yesterday. These workers were comforting the crape myrtles with new mulch, giving them a small makeover by trimming some branches, and cutting the grass that surrounds them.

As my observations come to an end, this experience truly does fill my mind with wonder. I wonder about the relationships of living organisms with each other. I wonder about the relationships between people and the natural world, especially the variety of relationships based on different cultures. I also wonder if our relationships to the natural world can be emphasized or at least encouraged to avoid destroying the beauty and intricate systems within it. I suppose only time will tell.

- Dinah Meraz