I just planted my first Crepe Myrtle. I've always wanted one, and I love how beautiful they are when in bloom. My question is my Crepe Myrtle is still small about waist high. I was walking around it and my leg brushed against one of the branches. My leg immediately started stinging and burning. It became very painful. Also my friend brushed against it and the same thing happened. What would cause this, I have grand children who play in the yard and would not want this to happen to them. Right then I considered digging it up and trashing it. Would love to keep it, but want to know why it burned my leg. My leg is still burning, even after I washed it, and it's been several hours since I came in contact with it. Now when I planted the crepe myrtle did not bother me. Of course I had on long sleeves, pants and wore gloves.