Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Crape Mrytles, 0 by dottiemon

dottiemon wrote:
Last August/September my Crape Myrtle was infested with aphids. During this winter the branches turned black and turned into the center like a cone. I assume the black is sooty mold, but is the tree dead and why did all the branches turn upwards. My neighbor has a similar problem, but not as black as mine. Also there is a tree down the street and behind me that looks to have the same problem. Any ideas?

I'm in zone 6 in southern NJ. Attached is a current picture of the tree.