Sick/dead dogwood leaves - Ask Extension
In early June, after heavy rains, many of our dogwood leaves died in a short amount of time. The tree is less than ten years old and healthy, but it d...
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Sick/dead dogwood leaves #256211
Asked June 22, 2015, 5:33 PM EDT
In early June, after heavy rains, many of our dogwood leaves died in a short amount of time. The tree is less than ten years old and healthy, but it did not flower as heavily as usual in May. The problem does not appear to be spreading, but many leaves are partially dead, so it is not clear whether the problem has passed. An arborist believes we have botrytis and said that need not treat the tree at this time. What is your opinion? thank you
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
This does not look like botrytis, but looks a bit like anthracnose. Look on the lower leaf surface for fruiting bodies (little bumps), a characteristic of anthracnose. You could also put a leaf in plastic bag and see if the fruiting bodies form on the lower surface.
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/not_updated/hg12_IP... https://extension.umd.edu/learn/ipm-series-dogwood-hg12
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/dogwood-anthracnose-discula-trees
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/powdery-mildew-trees-and-shrubs Keep fallen leaves raked up. If it looks like anthracnose as show in the links, you could consider fungicide in the fall. vw
https://extension.umd.edu/sites/default/files/_images/programs/hgic/Publications/not_updated/hg12_IP... https://extension.umd.edu/learn/ipm-series-dogwood-hg12
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/dogwood-anthracnose-discula-trees
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/powdery-mildew-trees-and-shrubs Keep fallen leaves raked up. If it looks like anthracnose as show in the links, you could consider fungicide in the fall. vw