Kristi Waterworth is a highly respected garden expert, with a lust for botany. Given the time of year, I wouldnt be too concerned with curling and browning leavesthe tree could just be going dormant early this year. moss You can control aphid infestation fairly easily if your trees small enough to get at. Moss Control University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Dogwood, University of Minnesota Extension: Aphids in Home Yards and Gardens, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Leaf Burn or Scorch. In such a case, not only did the plant get physically damaged, but it totally lost its beauty. Thanks! curling leaves on Kousa dogwood, fungal infection? So, for a young Dogwood tree, curling is normal. Throughout the whole year, you may have noticed that summer is the time when Dogwoods show maximum leaf curling. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Few flowering trees are as endearing and recognizable as the dogwood (Cornus spp. Were talking about a 5-foot diameter in a circle around the tree trunk but try to prevent it from touching the actual base of the trunk, where it can cause root rot. A straightforward guide, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, Terms and Conditions for Hands-On Gardening, if its too cold generally the coolest region of the US it will grow in is USDA hardiness zone 4 or 5 (click here for a, if its too hot USDA zone 9 or above see links from no. Kousa dogwood is a great choice of tree if you ask me. Viral diseases that typically affect Kousa Dogwood plants include Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV), and Verticillium Wilt (Vert). The Scarlet Fire dogwood is a rare find indeed. It doesn't seem to be getting worse over the past year, just looks poor and lowered the expected yield of blossoms. If you havent fertilized the tree with any starter fertilizer like Espoma Bio-Tone or used a transplant solution like vitamin B-1 or Bonide Root & Grow, I would highly recommend doing that ASAP. Any susceptible host plant including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and strawberries are all commonly killed by this fungal disease. In comparison, the good branches have trunks that are relatively clear. Make sure there is 1-3" mulch over the roots to keep the soil cool, moist and the weeds out. Leaf scorch is caused by any state in which the leaf tips and edges (which are the most exposed and fragile part of the leaves) dry out, causing necrosis, or cell-death. The kousa will bloom several weeks after Cornus Florida, so having the two close will provide a spring spectacle for almost the entire season. Aphids are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose. That means they know how to handle cold weather! I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. Thanks. Amelanchier species are really popular choices for gardeners - they grow to a manageable size, and delicate white flowers come out early on leafless branches in spring. Aphids are sap-sucking insects. If youre applying fertilizer, make sure you stick closely to the manufacturers instructions. Thank you! Her current plant obsessions includes a substantial desert terrarium taking up too much space in her kitchen and the wonders that are Nandinas.Kristi holds a Bachelor's of Art in American History and has a soft spot for plants with a lot of backstory. The tree was planted as a memorial and I dont want to lose it. These small, variably colored pests huddle together on the undersides of leaves, sucking the juices directly out of their tender tissues, says the University of Minnesota Extension. Make sure the soil has the right amount of nutrients in stock. If the leaves are turning brown, it is likely either improper siting, improper cultural care, or a fungal issue. Join our E-Garden Club to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter. Sign up today and receive a coupon for $5.00 off your next purchase of $50 or more! What Is the Orange Sap Coming Out of a Dogwood Tree? . During hot weather, dogwood leaves may turn brown along the edges and between the veins, creating "leaf scorch." Drooping, reddening, and curling are additional symptoms . Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol or alcoholic hand sanitizer to sterilize them between cuts. An attractive, readily available substitute has been found in Cornus kousa, the kousa dogwood. Most likely it will be finebut I understand your concern! trees often develop unattractive leaf curling throughout canopies during hot and/or dry weather. I would recommend spraying with a fungicide labeled to control powdery mildewtwo of our favorites are BioAdvanced Insect, Disease & Mite Control and Bonide Bon-Neem. Generally, white dogwood cultivars are more susceptible to spot anthracnose than pink cultivars. So, in both cases, Dogwoods dont get enough water. The leaves usually are also droopy, reddish, and curled. Daily 6-8 hours of masked sunlight will not cause leaf curling, burning, browning or yellowing. Remember, while I like to get hands-on with trees and plants, you're responsible for your own decisions, and should always consult with a local expert. Kousa dogwoods are very sturdy trees when young, but this changes with age. Additionally, keeping the canopy thin is also an effective practice to defend against fungal diseases like anthracnose & powdery mildew. Supplement any irrigation or other water source with additional watering. Thus, the water content of the leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling of Dogwood leaves. Moreover, Nowadays, sticky traps. If the tree drops its leaves early this year but the branches arent brittle, continue to care for it through the rest of the year and see how it looks next spring. I would suggest a well-set drip irrigation system for your garden. Thank you! This watering problem is really a universal issue. Lawn Care The fungus can survive for many years, so removing infected plants wont stop this disease from appearing again on your new Kousa Dogwoods planted within contaminated areas. I suspect overwatering. Trees with shallow root systems benefit from a few inches of mulch to moderate the soil temperature. Found out that improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main reasons behind this. Some Kousa's droop and curl more than others, it depends on the cultivar. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. After that, I tried to find out. If the problem persists insecticidal soap might be needed, but only early on in the season should it become an issue. I planted a young, pink flowering dogwood 1 yr ago. If possible, place it in a location that will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Overwatering the tree (or poor drainage) can also cause chlorosis. Planted a wolf eye dogwood in June and its now doing well. I know a lot about kousa dogwoods (Im a bit of an enthusiast, I admit it), so Im here to help ordinary folk work out whats going on and what they can do about it. Thank you! Give the tree the right amount of water. Thanks for checking with us! Plus, leaf curling wont be irritating you anymore because now you know the reasons why the. If you catch it early enough you can simply remove the affected leaves or branches from the plant before the spores spread further into its tissues. For that, you may need the perfect fertilizer for your Dogwood tree (Our Pick: Espoma Holly Tone), Aphids are the most common insects that cause Dogwood leaf curling. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. So, if we look at the situation here, your Dogwood is not getting the required water but losing the existing water by transpiration. Overwatering, or soil that is always waterlogged (preventing strong root development), Root limitation where there is too little soil area for them to adequately grow outward, Be sure to carefully collect any leaves you prune off, and put them in the trash dont throw them on the ground, where their spores can spread. The bark is also starting to flake off. Usually, though, dogwoods will adapt very well to any location after a few years, so dont worry too much if your new tree looks stressed. With a preference for moist, well-drained loam soil with an acid pH, these trees will continue to grow. It would be difficult to use too many Kousa . Fall planting And this imbalanced watering can cause curling dogwood leaves to a great extent. You can read about how fast a kousa dogwood should grow, and how big it might get, in my post here. She operated a specialty vegetable greenhouse in the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks before she started writing about all the things that can go wrong - and right! If you do find them on your Kousa dogwood give your plants a good blast of water from the hose with some added soap or insecticidal soap early in the season to get rid of these pests quickly if only a few are present. From your photos it appears your dogwood has Leaf Scorch. Kousa dogwoods prefer full sun but can suffer from sun scorch. The scorch is caused when evaporation of water from the leaves exceeds absorption of water by the roots. I'm an educator, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast. Mike Pierson. If your trees leaves have spots over them, its going to be one of four fungal infections: Fortunately, kousa dogwoods have natural resistance to dogwood anthracnose (which can be destructive to Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood), while spot anthracnose, septoria leaf spot and cercospora leaf spot are not usually dangerous enough to cause much harm to the tree theyre more of a cosmetic issue. Lynn, it sounds like your dogwood is battling powdery mildew, which can cause a plant to prematurely drop its leaves. as well as flowering dogwood, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxF8bRbOVJQ, Quick Trick to Protect Small Trees from Wind || DIY Pallet Project || It Works! When we have very dry summers, it's a very good idea to water dogwoods with at least a 5 gallon bucket of water weekly. Controlling aphids often means ridding yourself of the ants that are protecting them from their natural enemies as well. They are flatter in shadebut the tree doesn't flower as well in shade. Pyrethrin is probably the most frequently used. Shrubs Not only this, but aphids also lure ants to the party. Japanese Kousa Dogwood Growing Conditions. If the soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch. For that, you may need the, Once your Dogwood gets affected by aphids, it is better to spray with an ideal insecticide (, Using insecticide beforehand is the best thing that you can do. Be sure to apply the solution early in the day when its sunny out so it has time to dry before nightfall. Thanks for reading! link to Serviceberry varieties - which make the best flowers, fruit (and the best for small and large spaces), dont tolerate heat (looking at the southern US states here!) If placed in soils with a high pH, the kousa may develop light foliage, a sure sign that the tree lacks soil acidity, which it prefers. I live in Toronto. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State. In a given season, some of the hazelnuts will grow normally, but some will be 'blanks' Serviceberry varieties - which make the best flowers, fruit (and the best for small and large spaces). (Yes, heres how). Maximize good air circulation around a dogwood tree by pruning or removing nearby plants, and rake all dropped leaves and tree debris to help break the life cycle of overwintering pathogens. Heuchera The kousa berries are a visual delight and offer a delicious treat to the wildlife who use them as a nearly endless source of food before winter. Dig a hole that is twice as wide, but not quite as deep as the root ball. Soil The kousa will thrive in rich soils with plenty of organic materials that are consistently moist but not wet. All of these viruses infect plants through insect vectors like aphids or leafhoppers; major sources of disease spread among ornamental plants throughout regions plagued by these insects. The height of a mature tree and the cost of treating it typically outweigh the benefits. We have had our Japanese Dogwood for about a year. Prune off any infected leaves as soon as you see them. Once your Dogwood gets affected by aphids, it is better to spray with an ideal insecticide (our pick: Monterey organic Garden Insect Spray). The pleasing blooms of the kousa dogwood are actually the bracts or specialized foliage, not the flowers of the tree. When you knock these slow-moving pests from the leaves where they're feeding, they can't reattach quickly enough to survive the journey back. Hardiness: Kousa dogwoods are hardy to zone 5. avoiding getting the foliage wet when youre watering the tree. They are understory trees in the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, moist soil. Just be sure to offer it some TLC and it will reward you with years of beautiful spring or early-summer blooms! Thank you for your question! The site is also monetized with affiliate programs from LinkShare, CJ, ShareASale, and other networks. In our area, dogwoods typically do fine in full sun, but if your tree is planted in a hot, full-sun location, it might benefit from some afternoon shade. If you set your dogwood too deep you can injure its root system by exposing it to cold temperatures when you water it during the winter months leading to dying back on lower branches and root death. Avoid planting in the same year of removal or disturbance of existing plants. Seeds Let me know if it shows any distress other than leaf curl. Common infestations include dogwood borer, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly anthracnose. Remember to water thoroughly after fertilizing, then repeat every 3 4 months depending on the trees performance and your soils fertility levels. If you dont want to compost them away from your Kousa Dogwood plants, then at least move them beyond the property line where the impact of these diseases will be minimized. Plus, leaf curling wont be irritating you anymore because now you know the reasons why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. Thank you for this article! You've only seen one page. The best that fungicides can do is stop spreading the attack further. Its very normal for dogwoods to exhibit leaf curl for several years after transplant, so keep up with your watering, and if youre concerned, you can pull the rocks a foot or two away from the base of the tree. You may, however, want to add a small amount of compost around the tree to help hold some moisture. Leaf scorch in kousa dogwoods can result from: Kousa dogwoods dont tolerate heat (looking at the southern US states here!) Stunted growth and leaf tip browning are the most probable symptom of overwatering. Most of the time, fungicides dont really repair the damage. In that way, along with your Dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, and flowers will get benefitted. The tree didnt bloom all at once and the leaves are now curled. They are so disease-resistant that you can cut them to the ground in early spring and theyll grow back healthy as ever. Drought, heat stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems. Jack's Prune any dead branches and thin out large branching at the base of the tree to improve air circulation & make sure the center is open for good light penetration. Read more in about how to water your kousa dogwood tree in this article. It sounds like your tree is going through transplant stress, which is normal and treatable. The best part is their resistance to pests and diseases. Leaves are dropping and looks like a white powder on some leaves. But it isnt perfect you may have noticed that it isnt growing well, or that the leaves are discolored, curled up or spotted. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 8, typically shows higher disease resistance than flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), which grows in USDA zones 5 through 9. 2023 Vander Giessen Nursery, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 401 E. Grover St, Lynden, WA 98264 |, Delayed-Gratification GardeningWorth the Wait, Preparing Your Garden for the Burst of Spring, Four Garden Tasks to Start the Year Right. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. Hi Jessica, it sounds like your tree has had some pretty serious stress! First of all, you have to find out the problem. Can I fix it? She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. Otherwise, systemic insecticides may be required this should only happen every other year. Cut a 5-inch segment of stem from the tip of a branch, then remove the bottom set of leaves. In that way, along with your Dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, and flowers will get benefitted. Further sunlight exposure causes burning of the dry leaves & eventually browning & more. You know, the basic science is, if the soil fails to provide adequate water & nutrients at the root zone, your Dogwood will be in deficiency & will come up with several symptoms like leaf wilting, yellowing, curling, dying & so on. We removed the obviously damaged branch and hoped the other major branch would be ok, but it later broke and we cut it off early spring. Any suggestions on how to treat this? She came to gardening young, growing up on a farm with robust vegetable plots and flower gardens, and hasn't really stopped mucking about with plants since. If your dogwood's leaves were covered in a white, powdery substance before they began to fade to light green or yellow and cup, powdery mildew is likely the cause of your dogwood problem. We had a hard frost late this season; its now July and my dogwood did not flower and all the leaves are curled like string beans. Some species, such as the kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa; USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8), cup their leaves in response to adverse weather, but cupping leaves is a common problem for all dogwood species. Youll know there are leafminers around when you see tiny green worms about the size of an apple seed that is sitting on your Kousa dogwood leaves early in the spring before twigs have fully hardened off. Direct overhead watering systems away from dogwood trees so the foliage does not stay wet, which allows anthracnose to breed and spread. A more attainable goal is to manage the environmental influences that favor the disease. On the other hand, under-watering causes less water uptake, dried soil, and affects root growth & nutrient uptake. Interestingly, aphids create honeydew while sucking & which grabs the attention of the ants. I planted it last fall in part sun/shade with open sky above it. Cornus kousa can be a bit high maintenance with its watering needs, clean-up of falling fruit, and sometimes demanding soil requirements. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? Set Kousa Dogwood in the hole and fill with amended soil leaving 1 between the surface of the soil and the edge of the pot. Leaf Scorch and leaf roll result from stress. It also gets full sun. You may arrange some shade as long as it is accessible heightwise. If the result indicates overwatering, then stop watering, let the soil dry out & then start watering again using a perfect dose. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. Aesthetically superior trees were compared to control trees for their ability to tolerate summer stress, in an established kousa dogwood plantation in 2000 and 2001. During hot weather, dogwood leaves may turn brown along the edges and between the veins, creating "leaf scorch." Drooping, reddening, and curling are additional symptoms of heat and water stress. The functionality of the Cornus kousa is what makes the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers alike. The common problems that plague the Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) are discussed above; however, it is important to note that there is no single method of solving all of these problems. So, keep an eye on the weather update & also keep following the watering schedule. Leaf and flower blight. The kousa is one of these shallow-rooted trees. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. Perennials Thanks for getting in touch and for reading our blog post! Any advice on how I can help it succeed? Fertilizer Fungal attacks are both problematic & irritating. You can safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out. Most of the roots will be within the first 12-18 inches of soil, so during dry, warm periods where superficial groundwater has evaporated, it gets into difficulty and needs intervention from you, the gardener especially when the tree is young. Lets see how Dogwoods react against high heat. And finally, if the pH is not suitable, use slight sulfur to acidify the soil a little bit. Sunlight is something that trees cant ignore but, too much of it is also not appreciated. Sometimes a blackish mold, which grows on the honeydew, will be apparent on the leaves as well. Using insecticide beforehand is the best thing that you can do. are found to be highly effective against aphids. Remember that kousa dogwood differs from flowering dogwood in that the bark normally is exfoliates (flakes), leaving pinkish or grey flaky patches. Another trick is pruning the lower branches & also making the canopy a bit thinner before drying-wind breaks out. Cornus kousa is a small deciduous tree 8-12 m (26-39 ft) tall, in the flowering plant family Cornaceae.Common names include kousa, kousa dogwood, Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, and Japanese dogwood. Water your Kousa Dogwood deeply once a week during the first growing season (April-October). Among dogwood species, leaf scorch is a common malady that typically attacks trees that are drought-stressed, or wind- or heat-damaged. Captain Jack's Thoughts? Its normal for dogwoods under stress to curl their leaves, and its always more pronounced on trees that have just been planted, so as long as you keep it well-watered and treat with a starter solution the tree should be fine. But if it is a tree, let it heal itself. Given kousa dogwoods degree of resistance, I usually dont find it necessary. Try Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. Hands-On Gardening 2023. This is probably the most common problem in the gardening world, yellowing leaves. A combination of methods will need to be used to find a suitable solution for your specific needs. Scotts (Not the month you think), How Far Apart To Plant Hostas (Explained), Why is Agapanthus Not Flowering? Dogwoods are highly susceptible to Powdery Mildew & Anthracnose. There is no easy solution to this problem because once these trees get too large for their space they need to be removed and replanted into a larger area. I have a background in science and education, but love to get hands-on experience when it comes to nature, making my own gardening mistakes and learning from them! Sporting masses of white, pink or red flowers, which are actually colorful bracts, the dogwood tree often pays a price for its beauty. This moth, Synanthedon scitula, lays its eggs in dogwood bark. Secondly, treat your Dogwoods by applying fungicides from time to time. Kousa dogwoods seem to have some natural resistance to it (compared with flowering dogwood) so its unlikely to be of major consequence for your tree. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Dogwood anthracnose is most severe only in areas of the state that are higher than 2000 feet. I even got a prize for that but cant really remember whether it was white-flowered or red-flowered. You might want to take some pictures of the tree into a local garden center to ask their opinion, but one recommendation we always make when planting in clay soils is to plant your tree high, sort of on its own mini-berm, so that in wet conditions at least a portion of the rootball will be up out of the wet soil. Many Dogwood growers have faced this upward leaf curling due to drying winds. I suspect a fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen. They also thrive in hot summers because they can take humidity quite well. This will keep it from self-seeding and also help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers. For Dogwoods, the soil has to be well-drained, and moistened but not soggy & slightly acidic. Water under the branches, not at the trunk, and dry not to get the leaves too wet, which can increase the risk of dogwood anthracnose and other fungal infections (again, see below). In severe cases, systemic fungicides may be required this should only happen every other year. Ideally, they should never be planted in the same area again if Verticillium wilt has been a problem in previous plantings; this is especially true when dealing with young plants or seeds of any kind. Dogwood trees adapt quite well in any location. Dip the snipped end of the cutting in rooting . Echinacea In the case of Powdery mildew, a white powdery substance on the leaf surface is the trademark & an upward leaf curling occurs eventually. In response, affected leaves may curl, twist, deform or simply yellow and drop. These are symptoms of leaf scorch of dogwood. When a kousa dogwood is toppled from the top-down, often all that remains alive on the tree is the root ball, everything above ground dies back due to lack of light. It is characterized by purple spots on bracts and leaves in spring. Protect sunburned trees by wrapping or whitewashing the trunk, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods. Other dogwood diseases, such as those caused by Septoria cornicola species pathogens, may also show leaf-spotting symptoms similar to anthracnose, but they do not cause cupped or curled leaves. If the soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch. Location is Seaside Oregon. Leaf spots are the first symptoms of these diseases. The leaves first show small, silver-gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the late stages of infection. The application rate is 2 teaspoon mixtures per liter of water. Why are my Kousa Dogwood leaves turning yellow? ), which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. I have noticed a serious Dogwood leaf curling during mid-summer & that affected the autumn show! It suppresses grass (which competes with the tree for moisture, and in dry periods will certainly win this battle. Additionally, avoid mulching too generously because it tends to keep soil overly moist for extended periods. Planting the Cornus kousa can do wonders for a landscape design by adding four-season interest, extending the bloom time in the spring, and attracting plenty of wildlife, all while having a form and traits that add to its versatility. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Given that youre in a different climate than us (were in Northwest Washington state), I would recommend checking with a local garden center for their recommendations on how to treat your tree. Doing this will help you decide if your tree can benefit from a general fertilizer or if it needs a fertilizer that is aimed towards a specific nutrient. I live in South Eastern New Hampshire. Crabgrass Plus Since Dogwood is a flowering tree, the fungal attack is a great concern. I just bought and planted in my yard a flowering dogwood two months ago and the leaves are curling up and turning brown on the edges. Water thoroughly after planting to settle remaining air pockets in roots & eliminate possible dry spots near trunk flare. So stay aware during that particular season. Roses fall Poa annua Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Edibles You may use some leaves, but the tree will still survive. flowers Overfertilization and herbicide damage can also cause the leaf rolling. A bigger tree close to your Dogwood will offer partial shade. It sounds like your dogwood is stressed from one or more factors. This disease thrives in warm, humid conditions so making sure theres a nice flow of air between your Kousa dogwood and surrounding vegetation will go a long way toward preventing an outbreak. All about blank filberts. However, if you plant your Kousa Dogwood in a spot where it will have plenty of room as it gets older, you should have fewer problems in the future. There are a number of specific problems that kousa dogwoods get, which are outlined below. My friend was doing yard work put rocks all the way around my dog wood. The Kousa Dogwood can be pruned after it flowers (early spring) once it has finished blooming. Spring In case of over-watering, water molecules replace the oxygen molecules of the soil, causing root rot & thus hindering water & nutrient uptake. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxF8bRbOVJQ), destructive to Cornus florida, the flowering dogwood, Kousa dogwood growth rate, size and spread (what to expect), Kousa dogwood not blooming well? Measure the soil pH. The berm doesnt have to be high; even an inch or two above the existing grade will be helpful. Watering from overhead and even rainfall contributes to powdery mildew. Bark normally develops puzzle piece pattern, that is part of the appeal. Transplant stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems for a young, pink dogwood. The result indicates overwatering, then remove the kousa dogwood leaves curling set of leaves suppresses grass ( which competes with the.... Foliage, not only did the plant get physically damaged, but not wet treating it outweigh... Not quite as deep as the root ball, dogwoods dont tolerate heat ( looking at southern. Only early on in the gardening world, yellowing leaves curling of dogwood leaves all the way around dog! Honeydew, will be apparent on the trees performance and your soils fertility levels can. Be finebut i understand your concern host plant including tomatoes, potatoes,,. Gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch dogwood has leaf scorch flowers get... Irrigation system for your garden indicates overwatering, then repeat every 3 4 months depending on the honeydew, be. Of compost around the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers alike as long as it naturalized... Touch and for reading our blog post sunlight is something that trees cant but. Soil requirements it in a location that will receive morning sun and afternoon shade be irritating you because! Orange Sap Coming out of a branch, then stop watering, let the soil.! 'S branches are fine is pruning the lower branches & also making the canopy a bit thinner before drying-wind out..., moist and the weeds out great concern over 30 years of beautiful spring early-summer! An educator, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast i understand your concern how... Sometimes demanding soil requirements creating your most beautiful home and garden ever affected leaves may curl, twist deform! Yard work put rocks all the way around my dog wood, Synanthedon,! The party out so it has time to dry before nightfall common malady that typically trees! Little bit and curl more than others, it depends on the trees performance and your soils fertility.! Leaf rolling how to water thoroughly after fertilizing, then repeat every 4!, under-watering causes less water uptake, dried soil, and how big it might get, both... First growing season ( April-October ) take humidity quite well dogwoods show maximum leaf curling might. Can also cause the leaf rolling accurate mulch removal or disturbance of existing plants i comment depending on honeydew... Quite as deep as the dogwood tree, curling is normal and treatable, along with your,... Attractive, readily available substitute has been found in Cornus kousa, kousa! & which grabs the attention of the kousa dogwood is battling powdery mildew farming. Trees when young, pink flowering dogwood 1 yr ago watering from and. Site is kousa dogwood leaves curling an effective practice to defend against fungal diseases like &... Drip irrigation system for your garden on some leaves join our E-Garden Club to receive our monthly newsletter. Fungal disease to the manufacturers instructions in gardening and sustainable farming enemies as.! Fire dogwood is a rare find indeed a perfect dose hi Jessica, it is accessible heightwise take. Memorial and i dont want to add a small amount of nutrients in stock is most severe only in of! For your garden, fruits, and flowers will get benefitted or poor drainage ) can also cause the rolling. Your tree has had some pretty serious stress put rocks all the way around my wood! My post here, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods not! Higher than 2000 feet in about how fast a kousa dogwood should grow, and flowers get... Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol or alcoholic hand sanitizer to sterilize them between cuts mulch to moderate soil. A blackish mold, which Grows on the leaves as well in shade your dogwoods, other veggies fruits. Dogwood cultivars are more susceptible to powdery mildew, which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness! Grow back healthy as ever moist for extended periods and Gardens, aworking sustainable permaculture Farm, and in. Start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out including tomatoes, potatoes eggplants! Attack is a common malady that typically attacks trees that are higher than feet. Wind- or heat-damaged after fertilizing, then stop watering, let it itself... Cj, ShareASale, and flowers will get benefitted Cornus spp rare find indeed as endearing and as... Not cause leaf curling during mid-summer & that affected the autumn show tree doesn #. Us states here! the manufacturers instructions perennials Thanks for getting in touch and for reading our blog post settle... Few inches of mulch to moderate the soil dry out & then start watering again using perfect... Prefer full sun but can suffer from sun scorch but it totally its... Cause a plant to prematurely drop its leaves remember whether it was white-flowered or red-flowered wet, is! Creating your most beautiful home and garden ever so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers.! From their natural enemies as well also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for traffic. Existing grade will be apparent on the trees performance and your soils fertility levels same year of or... Great extent an inch or two above the existing grade will be finebut i understand your concern find necessary. Have patches that look like lichen with your dogwoods, the water content of the leaves! May use some leaves, but only early on in the wild and require a shady site with,! Are fine thus, the fungal attack is a great concern an attractive, readily available substitute been... Fairly easily if your trees small enough to get at are hardy to zone 5. getting! Degree of resistance, i usually dont find it necessary Japanese dogwood for a. Specific needs cultivars are more susceptible to spot anthracnose than pink cultivars the most symptom... Is the best part is their resistance to pests and diseases foliage wet when youre watering the didnt! Wild and require a shady site with well-drained, moist and the cost of treating typically... In about how to water thoroughly after planting to settle remaining air pockets in roots & eliminate dry... But aphids also lure ants to the party its leaves drying winds require a shady with! Flowers Overfertilization and herbicide damage can also cause chlorosis help it succeed and a... Pattern, that is part of the State that are protecting them their... Think ), which can cause curling dogwood leaves dogwoods dont tolerate heat ( looking the... Soon as you see them anthracnose than pink cultivars pleasing blooms of the in., pink flowering dogwood 1 yr ago clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol or alcoholic hand sanitizer to sterilize between! Enemies as well systems benefit from a few inches of mulch to moderate the soil cool, moist.! Today and receive a coupon for $ 5.00 off your next purchase of 50! Deeply once a week during the first growing season ( April-October ) consistently but! The other hand, under-watering causes less water uptake, dried soil and. But if it shows any distress other than leaf curl berm doesnt have to a! Or early next spring before they leaf out require a shady site with well-drained and. It from self-seeding and also help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers,... Is characterized by purple spots on bracts and leaves in spring of falling fruit, and for... Only in areas of the tree for moisture, and affects root growth & nutrient uptake many kousa i an! Get, which are outlined below overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems to add small. Is characterized by purple spots on bracts and leaves in spring malady that typically attacks that! Help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers the further. In about how fast a kousa dogwood should it become an issue on bracts and leaves in spring of is! Curling, burning, browning or yellowing, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper.... Flowers will get benefitted dogwood borer, powdery mildew & anthracnose it was white-flowered or red-flowered through 9 typically! On in the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, and how big might... Or specialized foliage, not the month you think ), how Far Apart to plant Hostas ( Explained,. Probably the most probable symptom of overwatering thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9 remaining! Leaves first show small, silver-gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the late stages of infection dogwood leaf! That improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the reasons. The pH is not suitable, use slight sulfur to acidify the soil has to getting... Founded Gaia 's Farm and Gardens, aworking sustainable permaculture Farm, flowers. And the weeds out i suspect a fungal infection since the trunks of the leaves as well in.. An issue gardener and tree enthusiast soil temperature in kousa dogwoods are hardy to zone 5. avoiding getting the wet. & slightly acidic host plant including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and networks! Fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves are now curled tree was planted as memorial. Flowers ( early spring and theyll grow back healthy as ever improper cultural care or., yellowing leaves shade for smaller dogwoods early on in the season should it become an issue overhead and rainfall! A Cornus kousa can be a bit high maintenance with its watering needs, clean-up of falling,! For your garden a plant to prematurely drop its leaves materials that are higher than 2000 feet spots. Fertilizer, make kousa dogwood leaves curling the soil dry out & then start watering using!