Dead dogwood branches ice storm - Ask Extension
Hi! Will you please advise me on how to address the (dead) limbs on my white flowering dogwood that I planted four years ago? One large branch and a s...
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Dead dogwood branches ice storm #869311
Asked May 20, 2024, 3:55 PM EDT
Hi! Will you please advise me on how to address the (dead) limbs on my white flowering dogwood that I planted four years ago? One large branch and a smaller branch have no leaves. Is there still a chance they will grow leaves again this year? The bigger branch has a hole. Below the hole are new green branches growing, and the trunk has new branches growing on it close to the ground. I wonder about these too in relation to the dead branch and possibly trimming it I suppose above the new branches but below the hole? It is new damage to the tree I suspect from the January ice storm. Do I leave it to nature or use my loppers to remove the branches?
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Angela,
I could speculate but it would be great if you have time, please send pictures of the hole, the dead branches and the whole tree.
You are probably right about ice damage but I cannot tell without seeing the pictures. Thank you.
I could speculate but it would be great if you have time, please send pictures of the hole, the dead branches and the whole tree.
You are probably right about ice damage but I cannot tell without seeing the pictures. Thank you.
When I see the pictures, I should be able to tell more about the issues you have. Is the hole dripping sap? Or does the wood look dead inside. Trees wall off damaged areas. Let me know. Thanks
Hi Sheryl at ask extension,
The hole is not dripping sap. The larger dead looking branch that has a hole seems dead at the extremities. The large dead looking branch has three smaller branches off of it that start below the hole. One that looks dead, one that has leaves that are wilted and dead and one branch with healthy leaves.
I've also included a photo of the new branches that are starting low to the ground that I wonder about but for some reason it only sends as a drive link so idk
Let me know if you need any additional information.
Thanks for looking into this for the tree I planted it for my late mother,
Angela
Dear Angela,
The first thing I see is a lot of grass that needs to be mowed and then the roots removed from around the tree. The grass is taking nutrients from the tree roots. See if you can't have bare ground out to the end of the limbs. Then add a composted manure around the tree, leaving about 5-6 inches from the trunk open. Compost can be 4-6 inches high as it will pack down when you water. You can purchase it by the bag at various garden and farm center. It should have woody material in it.
Next, one of the pictures will not open, it says I do not have access. I did open 4 others. I think the hole your are referring to is shaped like a downward arrow head. It looks as if the tree was damaged and the tree has walled off that area. No further actions is necessary with the hole.
To tell if the branches are dead, bend them gently, are they flexible? Then take some clippers and clip off the end of the limb about 4 inches in. Is the wood hard and all brown inside? Or is it flexible and has a green circle just inside the bark? If it is green, then that limb is alive.
I am sending you a link on pruning your tree. Take out the thin limbs that are growing inward, any broken limbs and dead limbs. You want the tree to be shaped like a vase with the center open so it has good airflow and allows sunlight in.
Start on one side of the tree and clip a few limbs, then walk around the tree and see what else needs to come out. You are creating airflow and shaping the tree for the future. Continue walking around until you feel you have removed the limbs as described.
You only want to take out about a third of the live growth this year. Prune too much and it will rob the tree of the ability to make its own nutrients.
The leafed-out limbs coming from the ground or at the base of the tree are referred to as suckers and should be removed. Gently dig around those suckers and cut as low as you can. If they continue to grow, it will look like a bush; they also take nutrients from the tree.
The wood that has not leafed out is probably not going to but you can wait on the large limbs to make sure.
The damage to your tree is most likely from not getting enough nutrients last year and/or stressing with inconsistent watering during the hot weather. Then we have had the very, very cold icy weather compounded with on and off rain and warm weather. The weather tells the plants what to do in some respects and it has been up and down and therefore, stressing the plants.
If the tree has good nutrients this year and consistent water especially during the hot weather, it should come out of it, given there is no disease. Next summer you can remove the very large, long limb on the lower part of the trunk. This will further shape your tree in a vase-like form.
Here are two links for your review: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-flowering-dogwood-trees/
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/fruit-trees/tree-pruning-basics
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
The first thing I see is a lot of grass that needs to be mowed and then the roots removed from around the tree. The grass is taking nutrients from the tree roots. See if you can't have bare ground out to the end of the limbs. Then add a composted manure around the tree, leaving about 5-6 inches from the trunk open. Compost can be 4-6 inches high as it will pack down when you water. You can purchase it by the bag at various garden and farm center. It should have woody material in it.
Next, one of the pictures will not open, it says I do not have access. I did open 4 others. I think the hole your are referring to is shaped like a downward arrow head. It looks as if the tree was damaged and the tree has walled off that area. No further actions is necessary with the hole.
To tell if the branches are dead, bend them gently, are they flexible? Then take some clippers and clip off the end of the limb about 4 inches in. Is the wood hard and all brown inside? Or is it flexible and has a green circle just inside the bark? If it is green, then that limb is alive.
I am sending you a link on pruning your tree. Take out the thin limbs that are growing inward, any broken limbs and dead limbs. You want the tree to be shaped like a vase with the center open so it has good airflow and allows sunlight in.
Start on one side of the tree and clip a few limbs, then walk around the tree and see what else needs to come out. You are creating airflow and shaping the tree for the future. Continue walking around until you feel you have removed the limbs as described.
You only want to take out about a third of the live growth this year. Prune too much and it will rob the tree of the ability to make its own nutrients.
The leafed-out limbs coming from the ground or at the base of the tree are referred to as suckers and should be removed. Gently dig around those suckers and cut as low as you can. If they continue to grow, it will look like a bush; they also take nutrients from the tree.
The wood that has not leafed out is probably not going to but you can wait on the large limbs to make sure.
The damage to your tree is most likely from not getting enough nutrients last year and/or stressing with inconsistent watering during the hot weather. Then we have had the very, very cold icy weather compounded with on and off rain and warm weather. The weather tells the plants what to do in some respects and it has been up and down and therefore, stressing the plants.
If the tree has good nutrients this year and consistent water especially during the hot weather, it should come out of it, given there is no disease. Next summer you can remove the very large, long limb on the lower part of the trunk. This will further shape your tree in a vase-like form.
Here are two links for your review: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-flowering-dogwood-trees/
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/fruit-trees/tree-pruning-basics
If you have further questions, please contact us again.
Thanks. I'll remove the grass and low to ground limbs. The rest I'm afraid I can't do I don't work due to PTSD and most energy goes to my little boy but appreciate the information.
The thin limbs are relatively easy to remove, possibly a friend could assist with this part. Good luck.
