Flowering dogwood trees are a major highlight of spring andearly summer throughout the east. In the woods and in gardens the glory ofthese trees is an annual event so glorious it should perhaps be a nationalholiday. Europeans admire these trees too – which to them are exotic – but athome their profusion has been damaged, and they remain threatened.
In the late 1970s gardeners in New York started reporting a problem with their flowering dogwood trees. The lower branches were dying, and within one to three years many trees died completely. In the wild, trees along highways started to show the same symptoms, and around Seattle the Pacific dogwood was showing them too (in the end the disease did not cause so much of a problem there). over the next years the disease spread among both garden trees and forest trees, and by 1991 the cause was formally identified as a new species of fungus – Discula destructiva. We still don’t know where it came from, but its simultaneous appearance around areas with major ports suggests it may be foreign.
Within 10 years the disease in the east had spread bothnorth and south, through the Appalachians, and by the early 1990s it wasreported all the way from Georgia to Vermont. In badly affected areas manythousands of wild trees died, so that 17 million acres of forest showed thedisease, with 80 to 90% of dogwoods killed in some areas. Not only did thiseffect the look of the forest – and reduce seasonal tourism – but the absenceof the fruits affected bird populations too.
It soon became clear that trees growing in mountains, above3,000 feet, were most severely affected, as well as trees in heavier shade anddrier soil. Since those years, most trees that could be killed are dead, so thedisease is today much less prevalent.
Like any good story, this one has a hero. He is ProfessorElwin R. Orton, Jr., a biologist and plant breeder at Rutgers University, inNew Jersey. He was quick to notice that while the American flowering dogwood, Cornusflorida, was being affected, the Chinese equivalent plant, Cornus kousa,was not. He began a careful breeding program, crossing selected plants of thesetwo species together, and then nurturing the seedlings for years to make surethey remained disease-free. Unlike some new plants, which hit the marketimmediately, leaving gardeners to find their faults, Professor Orton studiedhis trees for twenty years to be sure they were resistant, before releasingthem to nurseries, so we can rely on them.
Because of the care Orton took, it was the early 21stcentury before gardeners had a chance to avoid dogwood anthracnose by planting thesehybrid trees. Most of his trees are in the ‘Stellar Series’, which names like Constellation,Celestial, or Stellar Pink. It is worth mentioning that there is another commondogwood, called ‘Milky Way’, which you might think was part of the series. Itisn’t, but it doesn’t get anthracnose, since it is a selection of the Chinesedogwood, and not a hybrid at all.
Dogwood trees are prized for their beautiful spring blooms and attractive foliage. But sometimes these ornamental trees can struggle, with signs of decline like sparse leaves, dead branches, leaf spots, or limp blooms.
If your dogwood seems to be dying, don’t give up on it yet! With some diligent care and prompt treatment, it’s often possible to nurse a distressed dogwood tree back to health.
Here are the key steps for reviving a dying dogwood tree:
Evaluate Symptoms to Identify the Cause
The first step is examining your tree closely for clues to diagnose common issues causing its decline. Changes can happen slowly or suddenly without warning. If growth is less than 1 foot annually, there may be a problem.
Common dogwood tree troubles include
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Anthracnose fungus – Causes leaf spots, defoliation, dead twigs. Active in cool, wet weather.
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Powdery mildew – Coats leaves and stems with white substance leading to leaf curl and drop Favors high humidity
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Root rot – Leaves wilt and branches die back. Roots appear blackened or rotten when dug up. Caused by overly wet soil.
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Borers – Leaves sparse or stunted. Wet spots or holes in bark with sawdust-like frass. Tunneling under bark.
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Drought stress – Wilting, scorched leaf edges and dieback. More common in hot, dry weather.
Identifying the cause allows you to tailor revival methods accordingly. Contact an arborist if uncertain.
Improve Site Conditions
Dogwoods thrive in partly shady spots with well-draining, acidic soil. Ensure optimal:
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Light – Move to a site with morning sun and afternoon shade if sun scorch is an issue.
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Drainage – Improve drainage by building a berm or planting on a slope if soggy soil is suspected.
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Soil pH – Lower soil pH by mixing in elemental sulfur if needed. Test soil pH annually.
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Mulch – Ensure a 2-4 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and add organic matter. Keep mulch a few inches from the trunk.
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Water – Check tree is getting 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation.
Prune Properly
Pruning is vital for reviving diseased or struggling dogwoods. Follow these guidelines:
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Sterilize pruners between cuts with diluted bleach to prevent disease spread.
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Remove all dead or dying twigs and branches back to healthy wood.
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Prune in late winter to avoid accidentally removing next spring’s flower buds.
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Disinfect large pruning wounds with tree paint.
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Remove sucker growth sprouting from the rootstock.
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Prune conservatively when cutting live wood to avoid unnecessary stress.
Apply Fungicide if Needed
If your dogwood has a fungal issue like anthracnose or powdery mildew, a fungicide spray may help control the problem:
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Apply as buds break open in spring as anthracnose prevention.
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Repeat applications every 7-14 days if disease is already active.
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Thoroughly target leaf undersides with spray for best results.
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Switch between fungicide classes to avoid resistance.
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Always follow label safety and application instructions.
Use Insecticides for Pest Problems
Dogwood borers, scales, and other chewing or sucking insects can slowly weaken trees. Insecticidal options include:
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Covering lower trunk with protective burlap wraps.
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Applying systemic insecticide as a soil drench to poison borers.
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Spraying insecticidal soap or neem oil on foliage to control soft-bodied pests.
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Using light horticultural oil dormant spray for overwintering scales.
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Repeating applications as directed until infestation subsides.
Carefully follow all insecticide label instructions to avoid environmental and personal hazards. Combine with vigilant monitoring and pruning of affected branches for best pest control.
Consider Fertilizing
Avoid over-fertilizing dogwood trees, but some supplemental nutrients can aid recovery of struggling specimens:
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Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring following label rates.
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Top dress annually with compost or aged manure to enrich soil.
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Boost micronutrients by spraying leaves with kelp extract or compost tea.
How to Prevent Dogwood Decline
With prompt diagnosis and customized treatment, you can often rehabilitate sickly dogwood trees back to full health. Pay close attention to their needs, and your efforts will be rewarded with vigorous regrowth and glorious blooms for years to come!
To help prevent dogwood problems in the first place:
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Select disease-resistant varieties – Some newer dogwood cultivars have enhanced disease resistance.
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Plant in optimal conditions – Good light, drainage, moisture, soil.
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Water 1-2 inches weekly – Especially for young or newly planted trees.
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Avoid root disturbances – Prevent damage from trenching, grading, or vehicles near the root zone.
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Fertilize lightly in spring – Avoid excess fertilizer, especially when newly planted.
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Prune properly – Sterilize tools, remove dead wood, shape lightly.
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Control pests – Monitor for borers, scales, etc. Take integrated treatment approach.
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Promote vigor – Mulch, compost, water, and prune to keep tree robust and resilient.
With proper selection, care, and attention, your dogwood can thrive for many years of beauty and enjoyment in the landscape. Stay vigilant, and be prepared to take prompt corrective action at first signs of decline. A revived dogwood is a happy dogwood!
Are My Trees Affected?
If you have flowering dogwood trees, then look out for the developmentof this disease. The first symptoms are irregular dead spots on the leaves orflowers, with purple or brown edges. These will be seen between the middle ofMay and the end of May. The leaves hang on the tree for some time, as thedisease spreads along the branches, killing the bark. When it reaches the mainstems or trunk it can spread around the trunk, killing the tree. Lower branchesare affected first. While removing the branches before the disease reaches thetrunk can slow it down, the beauty of the tree is largely destroyed, with justsome upper branches remaining.
There are other harmless leaf-spot diseases of dogwoods aswell, so it is important to distinguish them. One, ‘spot anthracnose’, causessmall spots one-sixteenth of an inch across. If you look on the underside ofthe larger spots from Discula, you will see within the dead area tiny blackor brown scattered dots. You won’t see these with these smaller spots. Otherfungal diseases also cause larger spots, but these develop in late summer andfall, and if it happens at that time it is not dogwood anthracnose, so you don’thave to worry about it.
Damaged Tree | Dogwood Revival Update (Amazing Results!)
FAQ
How to save a sick dogwood tree?
Begin by raking up and destroying all fallen leaves. Prune out dead and infected branches and twigs. Improve air circulation and sunlight penetration around the tree by removing overhanging branches and crowding vegetation. Resistant species and cultivars are available and should be considered for new plantings.
Can you save a dying dogwood?
Remove dead branches and prune back to living wood.
This will help remove potential cankers that can spread and lead to decay and further dieback. Selective pruning will also increase air movement and help with disease control within the tree canopy.
How do you rejuvenate a dogwood tree?
Freeing overcrowded sections and removing dead branches will be enough to keep your tree healthy. If your dogwood becomes overgrown or looks lifeless, you can cut the whole tree to approximately ten inches above the ground to rejuvenate it.
What does Epsom salt do for dogwood trees?
Makes Plants Greener
Magnesium, one of the main elements of Epsom salt, is said to make plants greener. It does this because magnesium is useful in the plants’ creation of chlorophyll, which is what determines a plant’s leaf color, and ultimately results in the plant’s foliage appearing lusher.
How to save a dying dogwood tree?
Treat the underlying cause. This is the most important step in saving a dying dogwood tree. If the tree is suffering from drought stress, overwatering, soil compaction, poor drainage, nutrient deficiency, pests, or diseases, you need to treat the problem in order to save the tree. Provide proper care and maintenance.
Can a dogwood tree be revived if it’s dying?
Yes, a dying dogwood tree can potentially be revived. The first step is to identify the cause of the decline. Some common causes include mechanical damage from gardening equipment and animal damage from creatures like deer, rabbits, and squirrels.
How do I revive a dogwood tree?
Sometimes, the key to reviving a dogwood tree is staying vigilant and proactive in applying these care measures. When cultivating dogwood trees, attentiveness to specific environmental conditions and soil quality will significantly impact their vitality. I focus on ensuring that these aspects are met to promote a thriving dogwood in my landscape.
What should you do with fallen dogwood leaves?
To prevent dogwood borers, rake and dispose of fallen leaves and branches during the dogwood tree growing season. If you see holes in the branches or stems of your dogwood tree, use pesticides to exterminate the dogwood borers before spreading.
How do you know if a dogwood tree is dying?
Declining dogwood trees show symptoms like small leaves, sparse foliage, dead branches, spotty or curling leaves, early fall color, stunted growth, and lack of vigor or blooms. act quickly at the first signs of trouble. What is the fastest way to revive a dying dogwood tree?
Why is my dogwood tree dying?
One common reason for a dogwood tree’s decline is summertime evaporation causing soil to dry and form cracks. To help preserve moisture and prevent this, you can use mulching material around the base of the tree, ensuring it doesn’t touch the trunk. Mulching helps cool the soil and maintain the desired soil moisture for healthy growth.