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? Sick dogwood - not blooming #557917

Asked May 03, 2019, 8:53 AM EDT

Hi, we moved into a home with a pink dogwood Jan 2018. The tree bloomed beautifully (see photo) around the 3rd week of April. This year, there are no blooms, the leaves are in various states of health (from green to brownish/purple to dead); and there are lichen and moss on the trunk and branches (not sure how much that matters). We did not irrigate last summer (for water conservation reasons) nor do I know when/if it was fertilized. We hired a certified aborist recommended by Friends of Trees to prune multiple trees (June). Can our dogwood be saved? (I took these photos before sunrise. Can send more if needed). Thank you- Janette

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. Dogwood trees are very sensitive to too little and too much water, so not watering it during last year’s long drought may have stressed it more than it can tolerate. But it also is exhibiting what may be symptoms of anthracnose, described here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/naspf/sites/default/files/publications/na-gr-18_how_to_identify_and_control_dogwood_anthracnose.pdf That cannot be accurately diagnosed without examining the plant tissue. The lichens do not cause tree decline, but may be an indication it is in decline from other sources. I suggest you take some twig and leaf samples into the county Extension office for advice: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/portland Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 03, 2019, 9:54 AM EDT

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