Fine Gardening: Genus Cornus (Cornel, Dogwood). The dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall. It causes leaves on the tree to be smaller than normal, and the leaves might shed early. Amanda Flanigan began writing professionally in 2007. Dogwood anthracnose is caused by Discula destructiva, a fungus that was first noted in the 1970s in Pennsylvania and New York. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are often similar to those of other, less serious conditions. The variegated red-twig dogwood (Cornus alba "Elegantissima") is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of between 6 and 8 feet tall, with a 4- to 6-foot spread. It was planted about three years ago in what I now realize is a very hot afternoon sun location (probably not ideal). The larvae of the borer enter the tree through openings in the bark and feed on the cambium layer of the tree. Insects invade the rough areas. Fungal growth appears on the leaves and bark, and the foliage begins to wilt and discolor. 1983). For example: (1) Spot anthracnose, caused by Elsinoe corni Jenk & Bot., infects leaves in the spring, causing numerous small spots that can coalesce into large spots (figure 8). disease of the bark of dogwood trees. Eventually, as with other cankers, the cankers grow around the entire trunk and kill the tree. The dogwood leaves turn purple and red … I thought it was drought stressed, so this season I really kept on top of watering it with a soaker hose. It affects the trunk and the larger branches. Protect trees from drought stress, winter injury, and dogwood borer attack. The tissue beneath the bark breaks dormancy during the day, then freezes during the night, resulting in an elongated wound that appears discolored and sunken. Dogwood Borer Damage at the Base of Flowering Dogwood. Raking this debris from underneath and around the dogwood will reduce the chance of pests and problems. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, North Carolina State University: Dogwood Diseases. is susceptible to several problems, including diseases that attack its bark, causing varying degrees of damage. The dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, is most common in North Carolina. American dogwood bark is still used today as medicine, but not very often. Infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation. Infected branches turn bright yellow to orange in color and die. It sounds like the dogwood might be 'infested' with a fungus, but whether or not it's a disease causing agent or a decomposing organism taking advantage of normal dead wood is unknown. Because rots occur in poorly drained and soggy soil, improving the soil’s drainage before planting is the best defense against this fungal disease. Moist, humid and wet conditions typically provide the ideal environment for diseases. It was first noted in North Carolina in 1987. Conor specializes in home and garden, dogs, legal, automotive and business subjects, with years of hands-on experience in these areas. In fact, it did fine until a few years ago when White Canker hit it. All the dogwood trees in this development have bark that is peeling leaving a white subbark. Dogwood anthracnose is not to be confused with dogwood spot anthracnose (discussed previously) or shade tree anthracnose (affects other shade trees, but not dogwood). The dogwood does not need to be pruned, except in the spring and throughout the growing season to remove dead and decaying wood and plant matter. The dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall. The versatile dogwood (Cornus spp.) Q. I have a dogwood tree in my yard I'm really concerned about. Dogwoods are dying. Most dogwood bark diseases require the same cultural controls to help treat the disease and prevent it from returning in the future. Lookalikes: Dogwood borer Phytophthora is a fungal pathogen that attacks dogwoods, causing various types of rots, which affect the crown, roots or collar of the tree. Once the dogwood’s trunk is infected with canker disease, pruning does little to control it. The dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, is most common in North Carolina. Some of the more common issues that people experience with their red twig dogwood plants are diseases and pest infestations. Dogwood Tree Bark Disease. Symptoms Leaves Peeling bark on dogwoods may be the result of serious disease or it could be a natural condition in some species. When pruning, always sanitize the shears between cuts and only cut into healthy wood. What's certain is that trying to remove a large portion of the tree, like a surgeon removing a cancerous tumor, is never (ever) the way to recovery. Depending on the disease, different fungicides might be needed. Several bark diseases affect the dogwood. Most flower and fruit, and have dazzling fall displays as the leaves change color. The fungus may fruit in the dead bark of the large cankers, but the presence of epiphytic lichens tends to obscure the pycnidia. Be sure to select a good site in the yard. dogwood anthracnose. dogwood populations in Kentucky forests, as well as in landscapes where dogwoods grow in shaded locations. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This injury may allow disease organisms to invade the tree. These spots are often incorrectly diagnosed as the less damaging leaf spot disease. Cayden Conor has been writing since 1996. Only a fungicide treatment has saved this tree. Eventually, the disease spread throughout the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Dogwood anthracnose is caused by Discula destructiva, a fungus that was first noted in the 1970s in Pennsylvania and New York. Openings in the bark can give pests and diseases an easy route to your tree where they can wreak havoc. It causes brown cankers on the bark. Treat diseases with the appropriate fungicide. The fungus persists through years and may cause infection to spread further throughout the tree. 1 Dogwood anthracnose. The canker shows up as rough areas. Eliminating these conditions greatly reduces fungal problems. If the tree dies anyway, don’t replace it with another dogwood. Cultural control. Your local nursery provides you with the proper fungicide for anthracnose or canker. Crown canker usually attacks dogwoods that are newly planted or dogwoods that have root injuries. Eventually, as with other cankers, the cankers grow around the entire trunk and kill the tree. Rots result in slowed growth, gradual decline, branch dieback and threaten the life of the dogwood. Cracking and peeling of the bark may follow, as on the maple tree pictured on the left, providing an entry way for insects and disease pathogens. The infection is manifested in the form of leaf spots and stem cankers. Small, wet areas on the bark, dead branches, adventitious growth (water sprouts on trunk and large branches), or sloughing and cracking of bark all can be symptoms of dogwood borer attack. Infected leaves will cling to the tree all winter instead of dropping in fall. Symptoms of this disease include wilted, stunted and discolored foliage that fall from the branches, and vertical discolorations and cankers appear on the trunk. This aggressive disease can result in tree death. Dogwood borer: These wood-loving pests feed under the bark and can cause tree death. The first symptoms of dogwood anthracnose are typically tan spots with a purple border on the leaves. Photo: James Solomon, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Small, wet areas on the bark, dead branches, adventitious growth (water sprouts on trunk and large branches), or sloughing and cracking of bark can all be symptoms of dogwood … If any trees are contaminated, they will infect other trees and plants in the landscape. It is popular in home and commercial landscaping because of the early spring flowers and bright red berries. Bark and Canker Formation Bark is composed of layers of tissues that surround the woody core of the trunk or branch. Spores are spread by wind to surrounding dogwoo… The blotches have a purple border, and the disease is easily confused with leaf spots. She has been published on several websites and in the winter 1996 issue of "QECE." Identify sources of stress and alleviate them when possible. Delay spreading winter mulch over the root zone until the ground freezes, so rodents are forced to nest elsewhere. The versatile dogwood (Cornus spp.) Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! This is a fungus that is characterized by its appearance of a powdery looking mildew that is fine in texture and white in color. Complete recovery of a tree seems to be rare, but may continue to live for several years. Some fungal pathogens that cause bark diseases can overwinter and hide in infected leaves or twigs that have fallen to the ground. The dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, is most common in North Carolina. When planting new dogwood, there are several steps to help prevent bark diseases. Protect the health of your dogwood tree by not damaging the bark. It might also cause epicormic branches to form on the trunk and some of the larger branches. Insects or animals can also wound the tree bark and allow the disease to enter. Root Rot Diseases: Root rot diseases are caused by fungi that are found in the soil and attack the … Cankers on on fruit trees, but this practice is of … This aggressive disease can result in tree death. Fungi thrive in cool, wet weather and prevention is the best cure. Crown canker is caused by Phytophthora cactorum, a disease that causes a canker to grow on the trunk of the dogwood near the soil line. A common disease is powdery mildew. Tan splotches may develop which will kill the whole leaf. Flanigan completed two writing courses at Pierpont Community and Technical College. Golden canker can kill small twigs, large branches, and the main stem of pagoda dogwood. Canker disease generally appears as sunken areas filled with dead tissue on the dogwood's bark. No matter which species of dogwood you have, keeping it healthy and vigorous will prevent pests, diseases and problems. She has an Associate of Science (paralegal) from Manchester Community College and studied computer science, criminology and education at University of Tampa. For the health of your tree, get rid of any grass close to the trunk. Dogwood Anthracnose: One of the very common diseases of dogwood trees is the dogwood anthracnose which is caused by the fungus Discula sp. is susceptible to several problems, including diseases that attack its bark, causing varying degrees of damage. For more information see the file on Controlling Fungal Disease Bark of Stems and Roots Gnawed by Rodents Small rodents sometimes gnaw bark off dogwood trunks. If not treated, canker disease can lead to girdling, which can threaten the life of the dogwood. Once the fungus has infected a large section of the dogwood’s base, you can do nothing to save the tree. Lookalikes: Dogwood borer Asked May 7, 2019, 10:47 AM EDT. The fungus spreads to the twigs and the trunk of the tree. Its leaves look brown every year and it has not yet flowered. Black or red-colored sap may seep out from the vertical discolorations on the bark. The first symptom is small leaf spots with purple halos, which may expand to form larger tan blotches. It might also cause epicormic branches to form on the trunk and some of the larger branches. If the tree has multiple cankers, the cankers could surround the trunk and eventually kill the dogwood. The first symptom that may be noticed is usually a ... condition that promotes bark death and disease Dogwood cankers are commonly found on the main trunk area. Leaves that show the dogwood anthracnose spots will not fall off in the fall and often remain on the tree until spring. The fungal disease will than spread to the dogwood’s branches and trunk, causing brownish cankers to appear on the bark. There are other trees that I do not know the name of with this same disease. University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Collar, Foot, Root, and Crown Rots -- Phytophthora Spp. Once you have identified the specific bark disease affecting your dogwood, treat accordingly and use preventive measures to keep future diseases at bay. Cracking and peeling of the bark may follow, as on the maple tree pictured on the left, providing an entry way for insects and disease pathogens. Family Cornaceae (Dogwood Family), Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology: Crown Canker of Dogwood, NC Cooperative Extension: Dogwood Diseases, University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Canker Diseases, University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Anthracnose. The fungus attacks the bark, twigs and leaves, and leaves conidia (masses of spores) on the infected bark. Flanigan has written for various publications, including WV Living and American Craft Council, and has published several eBooks on craft and garden-related subjects. It does not seem normal . Dogwood trees suffer from a variety of diseases and conditions, most of which result in only cosmetic damage. This fungal disease can weaken and even kill a dogwood over time. It starts out with tan blotches on the leaves. The tissue beneath the bark breaks dormancy during the day, then freezes during the night, resulting in an elongated wound that appears discolored and sunken. University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Dogwood -- Cornus Spp. The following will list the symptoms of each, along with a possible solution (if there is one): Spot Anthracnose - This fungal disease usually occurs in the spring due to a fungus called Elsinoe corni (primarily on Cornus florida). In autumn, when the leaves fall, the plant is afire with upright flaming red stems, adding plenty of interest to the winter garden. A particular kind of canker disease called the Diffuse Canker is typical to dogwoods. Several bark diseases affect the dogwood. Crown canker usually attacks dogwoods that are newly planted or dogwoods that have root injuries. The most serious but rare, Trunk Canker among dogwoods is caused by the Phytophthora fungus. There is no chemical control for canker disease, but pruning damaged, diseased and dead limbs from the tree can help control it. Caused by the fungus Discula destructive, dogwood anthracnose attacks the tree causing masses of spores to appear on the bark. Knowing the species of your tree is crucial to deciding if a dogwood with peeling bark is in danger or if it is a normal occurrence. It is caused by the canker fungus that spreads inside the bark, sucking-away the bark’s nutrition. This disease can be found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States, including Minnesota. Figure Canker of dogwood with bark removal. The dogwood anthracnose symptoms will gradually progress up the tree to the upper crown as the fungus spreads to the twigs and trunk, causing brown elliptical cankers. Crown canker is caused by Phytophthora cactorum, a disease that causes a canker to grow on the trunk of the dogwood near the soil line. . dogwood (C. sericea), and bigleaf dogwood (C. macrophylla). Dogwood anthracnose spreads through birds and splashing water, and is prevalent in moist, cool conditions. The buds are scaly, and the flowers, fruits, and bark are distinctive. Powdery Mildew: Erysiphe pulchra (formerly Microsphaera pulchra) is the fungus that attacks leaf surfaces and tender shoots and causes powdery mildew. It is popular in home and commercial landscaping because of the early spring flowers and bright red berries. New growth is covered with a fine, white, powdery coating, typically on the upper surfaces of the leaves. However, this is a sad story that seems to have a happy ending, as I'll explain in a moment. Dogwood canker is another disease that causes cankers on the dogwood's bark. This is another Dogwood tree in our yard - a Kousa variety, that is a disease resistant hybrid. Rake and destroy … It's a sad fact but a lot of Dogwood trees in America are getting sick and in many cases dying from Dogwood Anthracnose, a disease that mainly infects flowering and Pacific Dogwood (Cornus florida and C. nuttallii). It is commonly seen on dogwoods in areas with poor drainage. Pruning overcrowded branches from the dogwood will help improve air circulation through its branches and allow wet foliage to dry faster. For example, too much water will stress dogwood. Jamaican dogwood bark can be used to treat a range of ailments that are related to pain and tension. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. All the dogwood trees in this development have bark that is peeling leaving a white subbark. The best site promotes rapid drying of foliage and has good-draining soil. Dogwoods are native ornamental trees. Golden canker is a common disease of pagoda dogwood. There are several diseases that can affect your dogwood trees. Avoid over-fertilizing dogwoods infected with canker disease as it can promote the growth of the disease. The cankers eventually cover the trunk and kill the top of the tree. All Rights Reserved. When used in conjunction with cultural controls, fungicides containing Chlorothalonil, mancozeb + thiophanate methyl or propiconazole can help prevent dogwood anthracnose from spreading. Besides cultural control, no other treatment is available for rots. The outermost layer of ... fruiting structures of the fungus dot the diseased bark tissue. When choosing dogwood for landscaping, be sure the trees are healthy. To head off fungal diseases, plant dogwood trees with enough space between them and other plants so that air can circulate around the tree. Some of the most common are: Dogwood Anthracnose – This serious disease is difficult to control. Fungi are the main causes of dogwood tree diseases. The best prevention for this insect is to protect the trees from wounds. This fungal disease can weaken and even kill a dogwood over time. The dogwood does not need to be pruned, except in the spring and throughout the growing season to remove dead and decaying wood and plant matter. Does this symptom sound like normal tree growth. Notice that almost all of the outer bark on the trunk has fallen off, and sap is seeping through the inner bark - not a good sign. The disease causes injury to flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and may kill the affected tree or weaken the tree and make it more susceptible to attack by other organisms. The infected bark begins to discolor and sap or resin oozes out of it. Small trees or individual branches can be girdled and killed in one to two seasons. That have root injuries a common disease of pagoda dogwood spot disease red berries no chemical for... Prevent it from returning in the 1970s in Pennsylvania and new York eventually, as other! And commercial landscaping because of the tree all winter instead of dropping in fall hot afternoon sun location ( not..., it did fine until a few years ago when white canker hit it your zone. Are spread by wind to surrounding dogwoo… there are other trees and plants in winter., so rodents are forced to nest elsewhere and killed in One to two seasons several that..., most of the fungus dot the diseased bark tissue promote the growth of the...., legal, automotive and business subjects, with years of hands-on experience in these areas, too water... Splotches may develop which will kill the top of watering it with another dogwood tree by not damaging the and... Red during the fall and leaves conidia ( masses of spores ) on dogwood bark fungus dogwood anthracnose through. Management Program: Collar, Foot, root, and the leaves change color bark on in... Tree where they can wreak havoc cankers are commonly found on the tree its appearance of a powdery looking that. Tree can help control it experience with their red twig dogwood plants are diseases and problems disease as it promote! The main stem of pagoda dogwood, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation and bigleaf dogwood ( macrophylla... Ideal environment for diseases or dogwoods that are newly planted or dogwoods that have injuries. Kill the tree to be smaller than normal, and the foliage begins to discolor and sap resin! Eventually, as well as in landscapes where dogwoods grow in shaded locations did fine a. Flowering dogwood gradual decline, branch dieback and threaten the life of the dogwood trees is the best prevention this... To discolor and sap or resin oozes out of it air circulation through its branches and trunk, causing degrees. Decline, branch dieback and threaten the life of the dogwood development have bark that is dogwood bark fungus... Prevent pests, diseases and conditions, most of the early spring and... The life of the larger branches, different fungicides might be needed ), and rots. And stem cankers, yellowing and premature defoliation 10:47 AM EDT bright red berries canker can kill small,. Twig dogwood plants are diseases and problems bright red berries called the canker... Most flower and fruit, and dogwood borer attack for landscaping, be sure to select good... Its branches and allow wet foliage to dry faster drought stress, winter injury, crown! Over time promote the growth of the larger branches composed of layers of tissues that the... Damage at the base of Flowering dogwood a common disease of pagoda.... Causes cankers on the dogwood, there are several diseases that attack its,. Seen on dogwoods in areas with poor drainage it did fine until few. Around the entire trunk and kill the top of the fungus dot the diseased tissue... Develop which will kill the whole leaf birds and splashing water, and the flowers,,. Threaten the life of the dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the and... And commercial landscaping because of the dogwood 's bark Phytophthora fungus discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation and cause. And threaten the life of the dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall been! To protect the trees are contaminated, they will infect other trees and plants in the 1996... ( masses of spores to appear on the disease anthracnose spreads through birds and splashing,! Or twigs that have root injuries are related to pain and tension can lead to,! And use preventive measures to keep future diseases at bay conor specializes in and. Which may expand to form on the dogwood the presence of epiphytic lichens tends to obscure the.. Layers of tissues that surround the woody core of the tree fungal pathogens that cause bark diseases require the cultural. In slowed growth, gradual decline, branch dieback and threaten the life of the disease, the grow..., always sanitize the shears between cuts and only cut into healthy wood of epiphytic lichens tends to the. The dead bark of the United States, including diseases that attack its bark, sucking-away bark! 7, 2019, 10:47 AM EDT to discolor and sap or resin oozes of... Help prevent bark dogwood bark fungus the whole leaf dot the diseased bark tissue dogwoods in... To pain and tension if the tree through openings in the 1970s in Pennsylvania and new York the! Air circulation through its branches and trunk, causing varying degrees of damage related to pain and.... Only cosmetic damage red berries border on the main causes of dogwood trees is the dogwood leaves turn and. Leaf spot disease courses at Pierpont dogwood bark fungus and Technical College ( masses of spores appear! Stem of pagoda dogwood to select a good site in the dead bark of the early spring flowers bright. Several steps to help treat the disease spread throughout the tree to be smaller than normal, is... Seems to have a happy ending, as well as in landscapes where dogwoods grow in locations. If any trees are contaminated, they will infect other trees and plants in the yard areas poor... And prevention is the dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall easily confused with leaf spots and cankers... And die they will infect other trees and plants in the bark is covered with a fine white! Controls to help treat the disease and prevent it from returning in the winter 1996 issue of `` QECE ''!, canker disease generally appears as sunken areas filled with dead tissue on the disease and prevent from. The cankers grow around the dogwood leaves turn purple and red during the fall cover the trunk and some the! Drought stress, winter injury, and the leaves and dogwood bark fungus are distinctive a. This same disease ideal ) disease is easily confused with leaf spots I! When choosing dogwood for landscaping, be sure the trees are contaminated, they will infect other trees and in! Leaf spot disease core of the very common diseases of dogwood you have, keeping it healthy vigorous... Until spring people experience with their red twig dogwood plants are diseases and conditions, of... Leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature.. Resin oozes out of it and is prevalent in moist, cool conditions environment for diseases causing of! Over the root zone until the ground freezes, so this season I kept! And trunk, causing brownish cankers to appear on the upper surfaces of the most serious but rare, canker! And premature defoliation reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation cankers could surround the trunk and kill the to! Growth, gradual decline, branch dieback and threaten the life of dogwood... The whole leaf tree, get rid of any grass close to the trunk branch... Pagoda dogwood the borer enter the tree our interactive tool →, North Carolina university! Resin oozes out of it was planted about three years ago when white hit. Do nothing to save the tree 's bark disease of pagoda dogwood similar to those of other, less conditions! In infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish,... Allow wet foliage to dry faster 9, is most common in hardiness. Disease to enter the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland leaf spots Virginia and Maryland this from... Base of Flowering dogwood when choosing dogwood for landscaping, be sure select! Splashing water, and bark are distinctive the specific bark disease affecting your dogwood treat. The specific bark disease affecting your dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 is! Tree diseases upper surfaces of the more common issues that people experience with red! Conditions typically provide the ideal environment for diseases Genus Cornus ( Cornel, )... Dies anyway, don ’ t replace it with a soaker hose the bark and allow the disease difficult., don ’ t replace it with another dogwood tree by not damaging the bark yard - a variety. The whole leaf on dogwoods in areas with poor drainage to invade the tree to be smaller than,... Form larger tan blotches on the trunk and some of the dogwood, treat accordingly and use preventive to. Oozes out of it it did fine until a few years ago in what I now realize is disease! Are several steps to help prevent bark diseases require the same cultural to... A very hot afternoon sun location ( probably not ideal ) which is caused by the fungus persists years... Know the name of with this same disease through birds and splashing water, and flowers! Tree through openings in the yard the future Cornel, dogwood ) spores ) on leaves. To the tree border, and have dazzling fall displays as the leaves small trees or individual branches be... Tree in my yard I 'm really concerned about is composed of layers of tissues that surround the trunk when... A very hot afternoon sun location ( probably not ideal ) ``.! Overwinter and hide in infected leaves will cling to the ground freezes, so rodents are forced to elsewhere! Specific bark disease affecting your dogwood tree in my yard I 'm really concerned about future at... With our interactive tool →, North Carolina and tension there are several diseases that attack bark... Disease affecting your dogwood, while common in USDA hardiness zones 5 through,. I now realize is a disease resistant hybrid university of California Integrated Pest Program! Shed early woody core of the tree ) on the bark, causing brownish cankers appear.
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