Rust on what MAY be dogwoods - Ask Extension
Howdy - I have what I THINK are flowering dogwoods - young'uns, for the most part. Their trunks are painted with a rusty-looking lichen/mold/something...
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Rust on what MAY be dogwoods #757347
Asked June 20, 2021, 7:51 PM EDT
Howdy - I have what I THINK are flowering dogwoods - young'uns, for the most part. Their trunks are painted with a rusty-looking lichen/mold/something, which kills them off. Any idea what this is and what I should do? Burn? Bring to wood collection at CSWD? How do I keep it from spreading and treat those still alive? Many thanks for your help.
Clare
Chittenden County Vermont
Expert Response
Hi Clare, I think this may be the red twig dogwood. These get a lot of dieback and stem cankers. You should prune out and destroy (burn, bury, landfill) the dead branches. I have read it is really important to constantly renew these plants, pruning out older stems and letting new take over to keep the shrub healthy and vigorous.
Ann
