crape myrtle help

[Big R]

I live in raleigh nc area and have 3 crape myrtle trees, the bark on the tree limbs is black with the exception of the trunk which appears normal on all 3 trees, they appear to be dormant at this point, does anyone know what this is, are they dead?

[Sluggo]

I live in raleigh nc area and have 3 crape myrtle trees, the bark on the tree limbs is black with the exception of the trunk which appears normal on all 3 trees, they appear to be dormant at this point, does anyone know what this is, are they dead?
Can you post a picture? That may help in assistance.

BTW, are there leaf buds swelling on the limbs? Mine are an I live a little north of you in the Wake Forest area.

Crape myrtles, for the most part, have very few diseases.

Cape myrtles will flower on new growth wood (this season's limb growth).