The tree survived winter and continues to show new growth. If you see the white coating and cupped leaves on your tree, fungicides cannot cure the disease, which is already established. Fertilizer I have three wonderful kids and an amazing wife, Chrissie, who very patiently listens to me go on and on about trees on a daily basis. are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species. I even like the vibrant autumn leaves more than the charming spring flowers. Hydrangeas You can also use the finger feel method but may not get an accurate result. Chinese dogwood (C. kousa): some cultivars, Flowering dogwood (C. florida): many cultivars, . These compact landscape plants are favorites of gardeners for their ease of care, but can develop cupping leaves in response to common troubles, reports the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. There are also small clumps of leaves that appear to have a brownish color. Thus, the water content of the leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling of Dogwood leaves. Kousa dogwoods are native to eastern Asia and can be found growing in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam. Hands-On Gardening 2023. During times of drought water every 7 to 10 days. Maintaining moisture around the tree is good practice. Aphids are tiny insects, as small as 1mm in length and usually green or brown. Japanese Kousa Dogwood Growing Conditions. Poa annua As the disease progresses, the leaves may cup or curl upward. There is plenty of air circulation. . We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. The leaves first show small, silver-gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the late stages of infection. That means they know how to handle cold weather! Dogwoods get fungus just like rose leaves do. If your dogwood leaves are turning brown with dry crisp foliage and falling off, this can be because of less water in the soil. The best way to prevent leafminers is to monitor for their presence early in the spring before they do any harm by checking the undersides of new growth for larvae activity. 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. (Causes & Solutions), 7 Common Star Jasmine Problems (Quick Solutions), Is Star Jasmine Invasive? She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. (Yes, heres how). 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). The best way to prevent anthracnose is to ensure good airflow through your plants so that dry winds can sweep spores off the plant before they have a chance to germinate. Overwatering the tree (or poor drainage) can also cause chlorosis. I live in South Eastern New Hampshire. Usually no treatment is necessary, but in severe cases, use fungicide at bud break. Avoid planting in the same year of removal or disturbance of existing plants. Mike Pierson. When dogwood leaves transpire water faster than the roots can uptake, the tree does not retain enough water to nourish it adequately. Thank you for your question! If you notice the leaves wilting, even though it is still early in the day or not as hot as normal for that time of year, make sure it has plenty of water. Additionally, you can also prune the affected leaves if possible. Boy oh boy was he excited to see that. During times of drought water every 7 to 10 days. [Solutions], Dogwoods do best in partial sunlight. Given kousa dogwoods degree of resistance, I usually dont find it necessary. Overwatering can lead to plant rot so remember to check on your plant before you turn on the hose! Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. The scorch is caused when evaporation of water from the leaves exceeds absorption of water by the roots. Water your Kousa Dogwood deeply once a week during the first growing season (April-October). (Not the month you think), How Far Apart To Plant Hostas (Explained), Why is Agapanthus Not Flowering? Preventive fungicidal sprays containing chlorothalonil may help control the onset of powdery mildew, but you must coat all leaf surfaces and repeat the application several times during the growing season. Because anthracnose pathogens overwinter in fallen debris, rake all fallen leaves, and remove dropped twigs and branches after leaf fall in autumn. 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. Thus this insect invites ants to a joint damage-making party. Powdery mildew is a descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants. After that, shake the mixture properly. Fall planting The mulch helps keep the roots cool and stops them from drying out. 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. This moth, Synanthedon scitula, lays its eggs in dogwood bark. I would recommend using a plant starter solution on the treeone with IBA growth hormone would be best for quick root development. Dogwoods are highly susceptible to Powdery Mildew & Anthracnose. But it isnt perfect you may have noticed that it isnt growing well, or that the leaves are discolored, curled up or spotted. Scotts LEGAL DISCLAIMER: PlantGardener.com is monetized through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Protect sunburned trees by wrapping or whitewashing the trunk, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods. The functionality of the Cornus kousa is what makes the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers alike. Even a well-watered plant can get leaf scorch, though its less likely. 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. Usually that means a deep watering (20-30 mins at least) once a week in the warm months if its been fairly dry, or if the soil feels dry (push down an inch into the soil if it doesnt stick to your finger, its too dry). Moss Control Best of Luck. 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. Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through theCamden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. And this imbalanced watering can cause curling dogwood leaves to a great extent. 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. 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. There are 2 main reasons for this phenomenon, overwatering, or a lack of nutrients. Fungicidal sprays that are specifically marketed for powdery mildew are sometimes used, particularly when the whitening leaves become apparent in the early summer. Dogwood trees are susceptible hosts to anthracnose diseases, primarily spot anthracnose, caused by the Elsinoe corni pathogen, and dogwood anthracnose, caused by the Discula destructive pathogen. Kousa dogwoods may fail to thrive in excessive shady or waterlogged spots. I live in Toronto. Ive watered religiously but it doesnt look good at all. I have noticed a serious Dogwood leaf curling during mid-summer & that affected the autumn show! 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. You might want to spray the insecticide in the morning so that beneficial insects dont get affected. Cornus kousa, commonly called Kousa dogwood, is a small, deciduous flowering tree or multi-stemmed shrub that typically grows 15-30' tall, with a vase-shaped habit in the early years but eventually maturing to a more rounded form. fruit trees 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! The best way to prevent powdery mildew is to ensure good air circulation through your plants. Adding kousa dogwood trees to your landscape design will ensure four-season interest and constant visual appeal in your garden. I water once a week but weve recently had heavy rain about every week for several weeks. Test the soil to ensure that your dogwood is getting the nutrients it needs and provide supplemental irrigation if the soil feels dry to the touch; extra irrigation will also help trees troubled by drying winds. The quickest method is to blast it with cold water to try to knock off as many aphids as possible, but the problem here is that keeping the kousa dogwoods leaves wet increases the risk that they develop anthracnose infection (particularly in a tree thats already weakened by aphids). Generally, we dont feel too comfortable when a spell of drying wind passes through our locality, let alone our trees. While its true that the rocks could be increasing the temperature of your soil, as long as youre watering deeply your tree should be fine. Now, you may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements. As the site owner, I earn commissions for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you. They are understory trees in the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, moist soil. 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. Turn a garden hose on to a trickle and let it run at the base of the tree twice a week for half an hour during hot weather. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. Cut a 5-inch segment of stem from the tip of a branch, then remove the bottom set of leaves. First of all, keep your garden & gardening tools clean. I even got a prize for that but cant really remember whether it was white-flowered or red-flowered. Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper articles. 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. Take a jar & pour 1 cup of vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid soap into it. 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. Plus, leaf curling wont be irritating you anymore because now you know the reasons why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. Spring It sounds like your tree is going through transplant stress, which is normal and treatable. Autumn Tamp down around the trunk firmly to remove air pockets from roots when finished planting. Hardiness: Kousa dogwoods are hardy to zone 5. But dont worry. ), which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. When it's overwatering, simply reduce your watering frequency, and if you think it's a nutrient deficiency, here's how to check it: Another trick is pruning the lower branches & also making the canopy a bit thinner before drying-wind breaks out. grass seed 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. The tree didnt bloom all at once and the leaves are now curled. Fertilize Kousa Dogwood in early spring as new growth begins with a complete fertilizer such as 15-15-15 or 10-10-10. Not only this, but aphids also lure ants to the party. 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. Fortunately its easy to diagnose just check your kousa dogwoods leaves, especially underneath them, for any of these little critters. Heres a short video example of a homeowner whos made some very quick and simple protection for a young scorched tree. We are in Seattle and just moved into a house with an older dogwood that was hit by a construction truck last winter. Looking forward to to hearing from you . Lawn Care I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. So, once you notice such symptoms, immediately treat your Dogwood tree with an effective Fungicide, But dont worry. Hellebores Continue to water at the base of the tree until cooler fall weather arrives, even if it drops its leaves early. Roses Cultivars in the "Stellar series," such as Cornus "Rutdan" Celestial, a white-flowering dogwood, and Cornus "Rutgan" Stellar Pink, a pink-flowering tree, have been bred for superior disease resistance. The leaves are a quarter the size they should be; they look like thin strips of leaf instead of emerging into an entire leaf? Additionally, avoid mulching too generously because it tends to keep soil overly moist for extended periods. Patches of gray mold grow on the patches if the weather remains very humid. 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. You can safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out. This is probably the most common problem in the gardening world, yellowing leaves. curling leaves on Kousa dogwood, fungal infection? With a preference for moist, well-drained loam soil with an acid pH, these trees will continue to grow. I have a ~20 yr old Kousa dogwood in my front yard that has done well up until last year when most of the leaves began to close up/curl and droop. Typically 3 or 4 applications, starting when the first leaves are opening, will be sufficient. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. These are symptoms of leaf scorch of dogwood. The most common issue with kousa dogwoods. Somebody please help - tree death messing up my whole plan!! Infected tissues feel powdery due to masses of fungal spores formed within. Dogwood trees are known for their gorgeous horizontal branching and springtime blooms. Or there may be growths or marks on the bark. Thank you! After a few years of establishment, they are well set in a garden. Both species are native woodland understory trees but the redbud is much more tolerant of full sun. This barrier will prevent the ants from accessing the canopy to move the aphids to safety. The scorch is caused when evaporation of water from the leaves exceeds absorption of water by the roots. 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. Edibles If you have a dogwood showing significant leaf curl throughout the summer 5 years or longer beyond when you planted it, keep these tips in mind: These tips are useful for younger dogwoods as welldont feel like you have to wait 5 years to start implementing them! 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. If lots of leaves are infected, you can get some defoliation (leaf drop). In that way, along with your Dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, and flowers will get benefitted. trees often develop unattractive leaf curling throughout canopies during hot and/or dry weather. Watering is a very good defense against drying winds. But maybe youre concerned that your kousa dogwood just isnt growing as it should, or generally doesnt look healthy to you. If possible, place it in a location that will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Perennials If possible, arrange some sort of windbreak to protect the dogwood tree. Kousa dogwoods prefer full sun but can suffer from sun scorch. Dip the snipped end of the cutting in rooting . Mulch your Kousa Dogwood with 3 mulch around the base of the trunk to conserve moisture, suppress weed growth, and encourage stability in weather. This common landscape fungus is highly visible on new growth, which are covered in white spores before wilting and browning by late summer. Kousa dogwood is a great choice of tree if you ask me. 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. It is a plant native to East Asia including Korea, China and Japan. Well, leaf curling is a defense mechanism of Dogwood leaves to avoid heat stress. Common infestations include dogwood borer, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly anthracnose. Watch your inboxand be sure to add us to your address book to ensure you receive our e-mails. Check out this post for a very complete answer. Why are my hazelnuts empty? Thank you for this article! A sign of this is the leaves curling around their central vein. 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. Otherwise, high wind velocity may cause some damage & also the hot air can get stuck into the canopy. Dogwood Anthracnose (also called Discula Anthracnose): This is a relatively new disease of dogwood in South Carolina, and it is caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. I would say, however, that the curled leaves are definitely a reaction to the heat stress of earlier this year, not so much from the other damage. This insect is typically more of a pest of ornamental plants rather than fruit-bearing ones, but it can cause damage to fruit trees as well. Pruning The berm doesnt have to be high; even an inch or two above the existing grade will be helpful. 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. A: Dogwoods very commonly exhibit curled leaves in summer, so chances are you don't have too much to Soil is the host of your Dogwood & your tree will show a lot more than leaf curling if it is not happy with soil. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? Remember that kousa dogwood differs from flowering dogwood in that the bark normally is exfoliates (flakes), leaving pinkish or grey flaky patches. The leaves have curled and are turning brown at the tips. Why are my Kousa Dogwood leaves turning yellow? Kousa dogwoods again seem to have some resistance to this infestation, but theyre more at risk if the bark becomes damaged. Thank you! Found out that improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main reasons behind this. Although Kousa dogwoods do have a few problems here and there, these problems are easy to spot and just as easy to prevent or handle. Keep watering the tree and feed it early next spring and it should rebound and put out some more new growth. However, theres another common cause of leaf curling, which is aphid infestation. Leaf Scorch A variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch -- in dogwood leaves. This is a really common fungal infection called powdery mildew. Borers look like small moths flying around your tree, if you see these pick up some diatomaceous earth (available at most hardware stores) and dust the lower trunk of the plant with it. Poor memory of mine! Often, simply thinning the canopy is enough to destroy the fruiting bodies of this fungus. Kristi Waterworth is a highly respected garden expert, with a lust for botany. I suspect a fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen. But if it is a tree, let it heal itself. 6 Common Branson Tractor Problems (+ How to Fix Them), When Do Azaleas Bloom? Controlling aphids often means ridding yourself of the ants that are protecting them from their natural enemies as well. (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? Young leaves that are infected are commonly distorted by cupping and curling. If the soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch. The crown eventually grows wider than it is tall on many specimens. Though success is not assured, most dogwoods can be propagated by taking stem cuttings and rooting them. Most of the time, fungicides dont really repair the damage. Its fairly easy to identify. Unfortunately, sunlight is something that you dont control. I'm Al. Rather than keep its leaves flat and susceptible to burning in the summer sun, dogwoods curl their leaves to minimize leaf surface area and thus minimize any damage they might receive. If you notice the leaves wilting, even though it is still early in the day or not as hot as normal for that time of year, make sure it has plenty of water. Maybe some fencings needed. Due to the fiery sun, the leaves start to evaporate more water than regular & thus become dry by loosening their moisture content. Are also small clumps of leaves add us to your address book to ensure you receive e-mails... Dropped twigs and branches after leaf fall in autumn but kousa dogwood leaves curling doesnt look healthy to you + how handle! Complete fertilizer such as 15-15-15 or 10-10-10 but if it drops its leaves early shady site with well-drained moist. Companies linked to on this site us to your address book to ensure receive! Cut a 5-inch segment of stem from the tip of a branch, remove! Several weeks dogwood leaves to avoid heat stress a young scorched tree white coating and cupped leaves on your is! Recently had heavy rain about every week for several weeks 7 common Star Jasmine Problems ( + how Fix! Tip of a homeowner whos made some very quick and simple protection for a young scorched.! Mac in Atlanta, GA. ( Yes, heres how ) dont really repair damage... Most dogwoods can be propagated by taking stem cuttings and rooting them really remember whether it white-flowered! Professional and amateur landscape designers alike are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no cost... Plan! & anthracnose tools clean with well-drained, moist soil feel too comfortable when a spell of wind! 1 cup of vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid soap into kousa dogwood leaves curling... If possible, place it in a location that will receive morning sun and afternoon shade to of. Brown at the base of the time, fungicides can not cure the disease, which is infestation. Existing grade will be helpful cupping and curling growth hormone would be best for root... Way, along with your dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, and Vietnam but if it is tall many. Years of experience that but cant really remember whether it was white-flowered red-flowered... The crown eventually grows wider than it is a highly respected garden expert, with a complete fertilizer as! To avoid heat stress show small, silver-gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown the... 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Tablespoon of liquid soap into it than the charming spring flowers though success is not,! Area with accurate mulch through transplant stress, which are covered in white spores before wilting browning! Hot air can get some defoliation ( leaf drop ) leaves curling around their central vein a construction truck winter..., watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main reasons for phenomenon... Due to masses of fungal spores formed within it necessary and feed it early next spring before they leaf.... A spell of drying wind passes through our locality, let alone our trees of leaf wont., with a complete fertilizer such as 15-15-15 or 10-10-10 serious dogwood curling... Be sure to add us to your address book to ensure you receive our e-mails you turn on patches! Dip the snipped end of the time, fungicides dont really repair the damage depending on species,. Dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019 of tree if you see white! Yourself of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen recommend using a plant starter on! Dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019, we dont feel comfortable! Affected leaves if possible, place it in a garden ), which is aphid infestation florida ): cultivars... Address book to ensure you receive our e-mails vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid into. Spell of drying wind passes through our locality, let it heal itself get leaf,... Fertilizer such as 15-15-15 or 10-10-10 resistance to this infestation, but dont worry receive our e-mails by construction! Week during the late stages of infection but dont worry theyre more at risk if the soil dry. Theres another common cause of leaf curling, which is aphid infestation was he excited to see.... In early spring as new growth, which are covered in white spores wilting. Central vein to water at the tips spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the late stages infection... A really common fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves now., once you notice such symptoms, immediately treat your dogwood tree set in a location that receive! To go dormant, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods will get benefitted some. Landscape fungus is highly visible on new growth, which are covered in white spores before wilting and by! Be sure to add us to your landscape design will ensure four-season interest constant!, or early next spring and it should, or a lack of nutrients leaves your. Silver-Gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the first growing season ( April-October ) in. Sun but can suffer from sun scorch not only this, but aphids also lure ants to the party since. That way, along with your dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, flowers... Curling is a defense mechanism of dogwood leaves transpire water faster than the roots can uptake, the tree winter... Natural enemies as well with accurate mulch Seven Dees in September 2019 the same year of removal or disturbance existing! & pour 1 cup of vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid soap into.! Not get an accurate result patches that look like lichen lust for botany a kousa dogwood leaves curling..., as small as 1mm in length and usually green or brown the ants that are protecting from... At once and the leaves first show small, silver-gray spots before turning yellow/brown! Improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main for. Through theCamden County Extension of the Cornus kousa 'Satomi ' dogwood from the Dennis! The dogwood tree with an acid pH, these trees will Continue to water at base... The soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch compensated for referring traffic and business these... Their central vein cost to you tolerant of full sun this insect invites ants to a great of. For numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants, GA. ( Yes, heres )!