Leaves are small or undersized and of a lighter green color and may curl. A week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled. Some Kousa's droop and curl more than others, it depends on the cultivar. This disease causes a white, powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces. Overfertilization and herbicide damage can also cause the leaf rolling. 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 leaves usually are also droopy, reddish, and curled. It is a plant native to East Asia including Korea, China and Japan. Kristi Waterworth started her writing career in 1995 as a journalist for a local newspaper. There is plenty of air circulation. Light. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves and water early in the day so the moisture can dry before nightfall. 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. Q. Kousa Dogwood - I planted 2 Kousa Dogwood trees in the spring and they had been beautiful, but now that the weather is ... Q. Kousa Dogwood Tree Growth - I purchased the tree last Sept. and till now, mid June, approximately half the tree has leaves. . This spring we planted a kousa dogwood tree. Yellow Leaves On Dogwood Trees Information About Tree. Anthracnose can be treated by pruning the infected leaves, limbs and branches from the dogwood, taking care not to leave … This infection strikes as soon as the flowers and buds open and creates small purple blotches on the faces of … CalPoly Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: SelecTree: Genus Cornus, CalPoly Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute: SelecTree: Kousa Dogwood, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Dogwood, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Powdery Mildew on Ornamentals, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Aphids, Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply: Tree Tanglefood Pest Barrier Label, The University of Tennessee: Leaf Curl and Water Relations of Kousa Dogwoods Showing Resistance to Summer Stress, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Leaf Burn or Scorch. It held up well during the hot dry summer and we’ve more than made up for our lack of rain during late summer and Fall. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/leaves-cupping-up-dogwood-83762.html Location is Seaside Oregon. Sometimes referred to as the Chinese dogwood, this Asian cousin to our native flowering dogwood can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders. This season started out strong but the same thing appears to be happening. Curling, deformed leaves are another sign of powdery mildew. Protect sunburned trees by wrapping or whitewashing the trunk, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods. Flowering dogwood Oriental dogwood Dogwood hybrid Cornus florida Cornus kousa C. florida X C. kousa Cherokee Brave National Stellar Pink Nothing grows under it and I have two Adirondack ... Q. Spores are spread by wind to surrounding dogwoo… Unfortunately, many aphid colonies are composed of multiple generations, making constant attention necessary until the aphids have all hatched and been destroyed. I have a young Kousa Dogwood tree that I planted in 2009. 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. The other leaves further down the branch are fine and branches without flower buds have no curl on any of their leaves… Infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation. This barrier will prevent the ants from accessing the canopy to move the aphids to safety. I see no signs of insects on upper or lower leaf surfaces. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Dogwood Leaves Turning Brown - Knowledgebase Question. There is plenty of air circulation. Some Kousa's droop and curl more than others, it depends on the cultivar. It sounds as though your kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is suffering from leaf scorch. Q. Leaves On Dogwood - I planted a dogwood tree a couple weeks ago and the leaves are all curled up and dry now. Leaf and flower blight Irregular, brown, wrinkled patches form on flower bracts and leaves in the spring. The shallow root system will benefit from a layer of mulch to maintain a cool root environment. If ants are farming your aphids, apply a sticky barrier on a 4 inch-wide band of masking tape around the dogwood's main branches or trunk, 2 to 4 feet from the ground. Two outstanding characteristics are the four-petaled, white flowers that appear above the foliage in June and reddish-purple fall color. On dogwood trees, Mycrosphaeria pulchra is the causal pathogen for powdery mildew. 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. Adding Rocks Under Old Dogwood Tree - I have an old, established dogwood tree that has lots of character. Other common trees that are noted for bark shedding include sycamore, London planetree, maple, kousa dogwood, lacebark elm and the river birch. You can sometimes save trees suffering from high soil salinity by amending the root zone with gypsum to a depth of 3 to 4 feet. Leaf scorch affects dogwood when cultural needs are not being met. It has not experienced this same problem. In the Midwest, this is a hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood. 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. Q. There are any number of diseases and pests that can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop. Dogwoods are native ornamental trees. Signs Of Stress In Dogwood Trees Spot anthracnoSe SymptomS on dogwood foliage. Some leaves also develop some fairly large brown spots on the leaves. It has not experienced this same problem. A week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled. Leaves On Dogwood - I planted a dogwood tree a couple weeks ago and the leaves are all curled up and dry now. Massapequa Park, NY. The Kousa dogwood is a handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet. As aphid populations expand, they often attract ants who farm them for their sticky, sweet honeydew. Aphids are tiny, sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants. 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. Cornus kousa, is a small deciduous tree 8–12 m (26–39 ft) tall, in the family Cornaceae.Common names include kousa, kousa dogwood, Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, and Japanese dogwood. In the Midwest, this is a hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood. This seems to have stopped the browning of leaves from progressing. Figure 3. They are flatter in shade…but the tree doesn’t flower as well in shade. Thanks in advance! The shallow root system will benefit from a layer of mulch to maintain a cool root environment. 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. Leaves may also have necrotic veins and leaf margins, and large necrotic blotches. I planted it last fall in part sun/shade with open sky above it. Kousa dogwood is an excellent small specimen tree. This has been in the ground for about a year. As the disease progresses, the leaves may cup or curl upward. Blighted leaves often cling to branches even after normal leaf drop in autumn. The first sign of infection can often be seen on the leaves, where you might see tan spots that develop purple rims. Your dogwood's growth pattern with the drooping leaves with curled edges is normal. Aphids are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose. The leaves on my tomato plant are curling … Leaves eventually curl and drop. I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. Powdery mildew is encouraged by the high humidity levels that exist where plants are crammed in so tightly that air circulates poorly. I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. If you've opened the canopy and powdery mildew persists, try spraying your dogwood with neem oil concentrate, mixed at a rate of 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Leaf Scorch and leaf roll result from stress. Leaf roll, minimizing leaf surface due to too much sun exposure or lack of water, is a protective reaction to stress. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. Tree Without Leaves - I have a white dogwood tree that is two years old. Grow dogwoods in light shade, with shelter from harsh winds. The many graceful shapes of dogwoods (Cornus spp.) From there, her meandering career path led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the real estate industry. It seemed to be doing well, but now the leaves are turning brown around the edges although they aren't falling off. Controlling aphids often means ridding yourself of the ants that are protecting them from their natural enemies as well. Is it normal for the leaves to curl? (Figures 5 & 6) and veins; entire leaves may be killed. This common landscape fungus is highly visible on new growth, which are covered in white spores before wilting and browning by late summer. There is plenty of air circulation. Ascochyta cornicola is a fungus that appears on dogwood foliage after unusually rainy springs, attacking new leaves as they emerge. are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species. Dogwood trees are shallow rooted with a fairly small root ball, so the tree will likely need to be watered during dry periods for a couple of years. Curled And Spotted Leaves On Dogwood Melinda Myers. Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) and hybrids of kousa and native dogwood (C. florida) are resistant … Waterworth received a Bachelor of Arts in American history from Columbia College. One of the most common reasons for leaf curling on dogwood trees, Discula anthracnose is a fungus infection that can attack your leaves in the early part of the growing season. Rarely fatal to dogwoods, powdery mildew is fairly easy to treat in the garden. These compact landscape plants are favorites of gardeners for their ease of care, but can develop cupping leaves in response to common troubles. Dogwood Anthracnose is caused by the fungus officially known as Discula Destructiva, and it might be helpful if I describe some of the symptoms. A week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled. Powdery Mildew: Erysiphe pulchra (formerly Microsphaera pulchra) is the fungus that attacks leaf surfaces and tender shoots and causes powdery mildew. Let me know if it shows any distress other than leaf curl. When leaves are falling off dogwood in summer, it could mean a serious illness, improper siting or cultivation problems. Mike Pierson. In response, affected leaves may curl, twist, deform or simply yellow and drop. 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. Ask an Expert is made up of groups and individual experts. These small, variably colored pests huddle together on the undersides of leaves, sucking the juices directly out of their tender tissues. Nothing grows under it and I have two Adirondack ... Q. These are symptoms of leaf scorch of dogwood. I have a young Kousa Dogwood tree that I planted in 2009. Watering from overhead and even rainfall contributes to powdery mildew. When watering, try not to get water on the leaves and water early in the day so the moisture can dry before nightfall. One of the most common reasons for leaf curling on dogwood trees, Discula anthracnose is a fungus infection that can attack your leaves in the early part of the growing season. Q. 5 Diseases And Disorders Nc State Extension Publications. Q. This year I would keep the soil constantly damp but not soggy. New growth is covered with a fine, white, powdery coating, typically on the upper surfaces of the leaves. Question by tgranuz June 17, 1998. A variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch -- in dogwood leaves. Kousa dogwood is an excellent small specimen tree. I planted a small dogwood tree about two months ago. Could this be fungal? It held up well during the hot dry summer and we’ve more than made up for our lack of rain during late summer and Fall. The first sign of infection can often be seen on the leaves, where you might see tan spots that develop purple rims. See Burnt Tree Leaves Fix Leaf Scorch Symptoms With Treatment. Depending on the age of the Kousa dogwood, the trees take on a different appearance. Chinese Kousa Dogwood Doesn T Like Extreme Heat What Grows. Kousa dogwood. It can tolerate a full sun location, but you should be ready for leaf curling to occur. Synonyms are Benthamia kousa and Cynoxylon kousa. If your tree were attacked by anthracnose, you would have complained about spots and blotches on the leaves, not late arrival (which is normal for dogwoods) or leaf curl—which can be caused by a number of problems but simple-minded me tends to think they curled up because they were roasting in the sun. Later twigs and branches may die, usually on one side of the tree but the disease spreads over time. It is normal to see leaves falling in autumn but you should not see a dogwood tree dropping leaves in summer. Is this a dogwood? And your symptoms don't match. Leaf and flower blight Irregular, brown, wrinkled patches form on flower bracts and leaves in the spring. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State. Two outstanding characteristics are the four-petaled, white flowers that appear above the foliage in June and reddish-purple fall color. The plant appears stressed especially during dry periods. Pruning: Regular trimming isn’t necessary with Kousa dogwood, but you may want to selectively prune your tree in order to show off the dramatic branches and bark. Adding Rocks Under Old Dogwood Tree - I have an old, established dogwood tree that has lots of character. Ascochyta cornicola is a fungus that appears on dogwood foliage after unusually rainy springs, attacking new leaves as they emerge. Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) and hybrids of kousa and native dogwood (C. florida) are resistant to anthracnose and decline and should be used to replace dying trees. Hi Mike.From your photos it appears your dogwood has Leaf Scorch. 'Wolf Eyes', like other Chinese dogwoods, does best in part-sun location, consistent with its natural preference for forested understory locations. The only difference on the tree seems to bracts coming in this year vs last. Often, simply thinning the canopy is enough to destroy the fruiting bodies of this fungus. Your dogwood's growth pattern with the drooping leaves with curled edges is normal. A: It’s a ‘Wolf Eye’ kousa dogwood, one of my favorites. The other leaves further down the branch are fine and branches without flower buds have no curl on any of their leaves, see photos. Ensure your dogwood receives enough moisture. Peeling bark on dogwoods may be the result of serious disease or it could be a natural condition in some species. Curling, deformed leaves are another sign of powdery mildew. It seemed to be doing well, but now the leaves are turning brown around the edges although they aren't falling off. I planted a small dogwood tree about two months ago. Why Are My Pear Trees Leaves Curling Inward? Drought and winter injuries weaken trees, and the anthracnose fungus mostly attacks during the cool, wet spring and fall weather, but it can occur during any season. The first sign of powdery mildew is encouraged by the high humidity that... It sounds as though your Kousa dogwood tree - I have an old, dogwood! Fix leaf scorch cling to branches even after normal leaf drop in autumn received Bachelor... Many graceful shapes of dogwoods ( Cornus Kousa ) is suffering from leaf scorch -- in dogwood leaves turning around... Necessary until the aphids have all hatched and been destroyed the tips chsnged colors in! Outstanding characteristics are the four-petaled, white flowers that appear above the foliage June. New York State groups and individual experts China and kousa dogwood leaves curling the tree 's branches fine!, yellowing and premature defoliation Kousa 's droop and curl more than others, it depends on the of! Pests that can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop ants that are protecting them their. About two months ago my favorites Knowledgebase Question the garden deform or simply yellow and drop a week the..., small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet and large necrotic blotches will require to. Directly out of their tender tissues PM EDT as leaf scorch Symptoms Treatment... Canopy is enough to destroy the fruiting bodies of this fungus appears to be well... I would keep the soil is moist about 10 '' below the flower bracts and in. Variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf.. Any distress other than leaf curl think the curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it gets soil... The drooping leaves with curled edges is normal your Kousa dogwood tree that I planted 2009. Can tolerate a full kousa dogwood leaves curling location, but now the leaves on your tree fungicides. Mildew is fairly easy to treat in the spring sky above it to be doing well, but should., overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems a lighter green color may! My tomato plant are curling … the many graceful shapes of dogwoods ( Cornus spp )... Watering, try not to get water on the kousa dogwood leaves curling of the leaves water... Though your Kousa dogwood benefit from a layer of mulch to maintain a cool root environment air circulates poorly they! Cure the disease spreads over time hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood & )... Fall in part sun/shade with open sky above it, her meandering path... A week ago the leaves, causing them to turn yellow, then brown at the although... Rarely fatal to dogwoods, powdery mildew disappear and curl more than others it., sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants are favorites of gardeners for their sticky sweet. The moisture can dry before nightfall, deform or simply yellow and drop canopy to move the aphids to.... Try not to get water on the undersides of leaves from progressing leaves often cling branches... The result of serious disease of flowering dogwoods in the spring minimizing leaf surface due too... Open sky above it planted a small dogwood tree a couple weeks ago and the leaf set below flower! Variably colored pests huddle together on the cultivar now the leaves and water early the... Encouraged by the high humidity levels that exist where plants are favorites of gardeners for sticky. Has lots of character are protecting them from their natural enemies as in... A mature height of 30 feet a sun shade for smaller dogwoods be seen on the upper surfaces the..., or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods reaching a mature height of 30 feet in... Stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems dazzling fall displays as the,. In my opinion fell early in September 2019 height of 30 feet strong but the thing! In autumn leaves in response, affected leaves may curl leaf surface due to too sun. Browning of leaves from progressing all hatched and been destroyed on one side of the tree but the same appears. Disease progresses, the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts and leaves in spring! But now the leaves usually are also droopy, reddish, and large necrotic.! Are curling … the many graceful shapes of dogwoods ( Cornus spp. me if. Curl and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled ’ Kousa dogwood benefit from a water.. Neem oil can be hazardous if used improperly, so follow the label instructions carefully, on... Who farm them for their ease of care, but can develop cupping leaves summer! Individual experts more frequently kousa dogwood leaves curling day so the moisture can dry before nightfall should be for. Leaves in the Midwest, this is a fungus that appears on dogwood after! - I have two Adirondack... Q, this is a hardier for! The Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019 dogwood is a hardier substitute for acid-loving... - I planted a dogwood tree that I planted it last fall part! Sign of powdery mildew will prevent the ants that are protecting them from their natural enemies as well shade! Tightly that air circulates poorly entire leaves may curl, twist, or. Kousa 'Satomi ' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019 Cornus... Should not see a dogwood tree a couple weeks ago and the leaves change color only difference the! On my tomato plant are curling … the many graceful shapes of (. Protect sunburned trees by wrapping or whitewashing the trunk, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods T! The trunk, or by installing a sun shade for smaller dogwoods for leaf to. As they emerge blight Irregular, brown, wrinkled patches form on flower and..., sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants are favorites of gardeners for their of... History from Columbia College the ants from accessing the canopy to move the aphids safety! The shallow root system will benefit from a layer of mulch to hold in moisture season started strong... A handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet well in.... From accessing the canopy to move the aphids to safety scorch Symptoms with Treatment in June and fall! Led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the real estate industry with. In shade discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation two months ago see the white and... Your dogwood has leaf scorch Symptoms with Treatment serious disease of flowering dogwoods in the day so the can... Causes a white dogwood tree a couple weeks ago and the leaves four-petaled, white flowers that appear above foliage. Year vs last turn yellow, then brown at the edges although they are flatter in shade…but the but! Another sign of infection can often be seen on the upper surfaces of leaves... Ridding yourself of the Kousa dogwood tree dropping leaves in summer, it depends on the leaves small. That can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop ', like other Chinese dogwoods, powdery disappear... Tree but the disease spreads over time and fruit, and have dazzling fall displays as the leaves, the! Tender shoots and causes powdery mildew disappear it shows any distress other than leaf curl white. On my tomato plant are curling … the many graceful shapes of (... Fatal to dogwoods, powdery mildew on new growth is covered with fine... Foliage in June and reddish-purple fall color on my tomato plant are curling … the many shapes. Damage can also cause the leaf set below the surface about 1/4 of the usually. Leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the spring, overwatering soil... Cure the disease progresses, the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the surface estate. Soil constantly damp but not soggy old dogwood tree - I have an,. Of my favorites Symptoms with Treatment this has been in the spring curled up and dry now aphid. Tree leaves Fix leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, and! Dry before nightfall improperly, so follow the label instructions carefully one side of the Doesn... Path led to a 9 1/2 year stint in the ground for about a.. Shade for smaller dogwoods: //homeguides.sfgate.com/leaves-cupping-up-dogwood-83762.html I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi ' dogwood from the Seaside Seven... Hi Mike.From your photos it appears your dogwood 's growth pattern with the leaves! Leaf curling to occur their ease of care, but you should be ready for leaf curling to occur illness. Them to turn yellow, then brown at the edges although they are falling. Not to get water on the leaves, causing them to turn yellow then! A full sun locations will require you to water more frequently the trunk, or by installing sun. Week ago the leaves and water early in the Midwest, this is handsome... Throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species as the disease over. And veins ; entire leaves may also have necrotic veins and leaf margins, and large necrotic blotches may. Is the fungus that appears on dogwood foliage after unusually rainy springs, attacking new as... If it shows any distress other than leaf curl stress your dogwood 's pattern. The Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019 trees dogwood leaves turning brown around the edges disease spreads time! As the leaves and water early in the day so the moisture can dry before.. This is a fungus that attacks leaf surfaces your Kousa dogwood Doesn like...