Dogwood Tree Leaf Problems
The tree usually dies in three to five years.
Dogwood tree leaf problems. Twigs and even large branches die. Larvae live in the cambium layer and their travel and eating damage the flow of nutrients and water. Numerous small shoots may grow from the trunk. Crown canker caused by a fungus occurs primarily on transplanted dogwood trees.
Dogwood anthracnose is most severe only in areas of the state that are higher than 2000 feet. Mechanical and chemical injuries are other common dogwood tree problems. The disease discula destructiva causes leaf twig and branch dieback beginning in the lower part of the tree. In case of a mechanical injury remove the dead tissue with your fingers.
Peeling cracked bark near base of tree brown leaf edges wilting purple red leaf color. Dogwood trees have several insects and their larvae that call the tree their home. Leaf scorch is a common problem in dogwood tress and a sign that your tree is under water stress. When leaves are falling off dogwood in summer it could mean a serious illness improper siting or cultivation problems.
Leaves eaten or chewed. It is normal to see leaves falling in autumn but you should not see a dogwood tree dropping leaves in summer. Leaf scorch powdery mildew drought conditions poor site conditions causes tree stress crown canker. The dogwood borer is the most noteworthy pest of the tree.
There are any number of diseases and pests that can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop. Within a year or two the entire tree is affected. Dogwood borers synanthedon scitula dogwood trees attacked by borers clear winged moths which begin emerging in late may to september will display swollen knotty calloused or gall like areas on the trunk at or immediately below the ground surface possibly between the ground surface and the branches above. Significant loss of vigor and illness can result when these tiny marauders invade in quantity.
Sawflies resemble caterpillars often covered with white powdery material dogwood sawfly. Leaves are smaller and lighter green than normal and turn prematurely red in late summer. Dogwood anthracnose discula anthracnose. This is a serious fungal disease of dogwoods that is prevalent in states east of missouri.
This is a relatively new disease of dogwood in south carolina and it is caused by the fungus discula destructiva.