Is your dogwood not flowering or do you notice signs of pests?
Here’s our guide to common issues and solutions.
Blooming, flowering dogwood trees celebrate springs arrival in the South.
Credit:Steve Bender
Here are five common problems and what to do about them.
The next, the leaves turn whitish tan, especially around the edges, and start dropping.
This usually happens in mid-to-late summer.
Credit:MA Hansen, Bugwood.org
Cause:Dogwood has shallow roots and doesn’t like long periods of hot, dry weather.
If this isn’t severe, the tree will recover.
The mulch will cool the soil and help it retain moisture.
Credit:J Hartman, Bugwood.org
Check the leaves regularly during hot, dry spells.
If you see wilting leaves in morning, water the tree immediately and thoroughly.
This most often occurs to dogwoods growing under tall trees following a spell of rainy weather in summer.
Credit:Wayside Gardens
Diseased leaves dry and hang on through winter.
Cankers forming on the twigs can eventually girdle and kill branches or the entire tree.
Cause:Spot anthracnose is a fungal disease that targets dogwoods.
It spreads via water splashing the spores from leaf to leaf.
It’s more of a problem for understory trees than trees growing out in the open.
Solution:Remove diseased branches and leaves and throw them out with the trash.
Spray healthy spring flowers and foliage with Daconil according to the label directions.
Repeat as soon as you see any spots appear on the leaves.
Additionally, plant resistant dogwood selections, such as ‘Appalachian Spring.’
Problem #3Powdery Mildew
J Hartman, Bugwood.org
Description:A whitish film spreads on leaves.
Affected leaves may shrivel and drop.
Cause:Powdery mildew is a fungus.
There are lots of different kinds of mildew that attack lots of different plants.
This particular mildew likes dogwoods.
Like spot anthracnose, it prefers trees growing in groups under tall trees.
It also likes cool, rainy weather.
Solution:If it shows up in late summer, let it go.
It won’t do enough damage to hurt the tree.
Solution:Give flowering dogwood at least a half-day of sun with light shade in the afternoon.
Water trees during summer droughts.
Buy named selections chosen for their outstanding displays rather than unnamed trees that could do anything.
Solution:If the infestation is severe, the tree may last one or two more seasons.
Sprinkle epsom salts around the base of the tree to help your tree produce more blooms.
Dogwood Diseases & Insect Pests.
Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center.
Trees and Shrubs Failing to Flower.
University of Maryland Extension.
Are Coffee Grounds Good For Flowering Dogwoods?.
5 Epsom Salt Uses For Trees And Shrubs.
