The dogwood has been considered a treasure in the landscape for years. A destructive disease known as anthracnose can tarnish its image. Keep your dogwoods healthy with these tips.
Under Attack
Anthracnose attacks twigs, branches, trunks and leaves of dogwoods in cool, wet weather. Trees exhibit signs of infection via tan, blotchy leaf spots. The disease can result in dead leaves and twigs that remain attached to the tree.
Stressed Out?
Dogwoods more susceptible to anthracnose are usually those experiencing stress in the form of drought, winter injury or construction damage.
Early Detection = Better Control
Catching anthracnose early is the best way to control the disease. Once identified, prune out diseased twigs and branches to prevent further infection and encourage air to flow through the tree. Keep your dogwoods healthy by improving water retention with mulch and using slow-release fertilizer. Your arborist may recommend foliar fungicide treatments to help control dogwood anthracnose.
Healthy Trees = Healthy Landscapes
To protect your current dogwoods from anthracnose, never transplant wild dogwoods into your landscape. Purchase healthy trees from reliable nurseries.