Dogwood tree - Ask Extension
Any idea what is happening to my neighbor’s dogwood tree?
It is in full sun, about 25’ tall and about the same age.
Brown leaves are all over the...
Knowledgebase
Dogwood tree #652928
Asked June 18, 2020, 5:35 PM EDT
Any idea what is happening to my neighbor’s dogwood tree?
It is in full sun, about 25’ tall and about the same age.
Brown leaves are all over the lawn.
Anything that should be done?
Thank you,
Kay Crouch
Wicomico County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Kay,
The dogwood appears to have two ailments that have been very common this spring: Elsinoe Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew. See more information for each about halfway down this page:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/flowering-dogwood-trees-selection-care-and-management-disease-problems
and here:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/spot-anthracnose-dogwood-or-elsino%C3%AB-leaf-spot
Fungicides are not effective at this stage, and the tree will have to tolerate the damage as best it can. Leaf drop may continue, but to minimize the plant's stress, encourage your neighbor to keep an eye on its watering needs during hot, dry spells in summer and autumn. Dogwoods are stressed by overly-wet soils and poor drainage, but do benefit from irrigation during drought, especially when growing in full sun. A preventative fungicide treatment next spring may help, but given the tree's size, an arborist or tree-care company professional would need to do the application for best coverage.
Miri
The dogwood appears to have two ailments that have been very common this spring: Elsinoe Leaf Spot and Powdery Mildew. See more information for each about halfway down this page:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/flowering-dogwood-trees-selection-care-and-management-disease-problems
and here:
https://extension.umd.edu/hgic/topics/spot-anthracnose-dogwood-or-elsino%C3%AB-leaf-spot
Fungicides are not effective at this stage, and the tree will have to tolerate the damage as best it can. Leaf drop may continue, but to minimize the plant's stress, encourage your neighbor to keep an eye on its watering needs during hot, dry spells in summer and autumn. Dogwoods are stressed by overly-wet soils and poor drainage, but do benefit from irrigation during drought, especially when growing in full sun. A preventative fungicide treatment next spring may help, but given the tree's size, an arborist or tree-care company professional would need to do the application for best coverage.
Miri
