Dogwood Tree Looking Bare - Ask Extension
My Dogwood tree is showing less foliage and more dead branches each year since May 2019 when I moved into my home. I have enclosed pictures to see the...
Knowledgebase
Dogwood Tree Looking Bare #870610
Asked May 29, 2024, 2:58 PM EDT
My Dogwood tree is showing less foliage and more dead branches each year since May 2019 when I moved into my home. I have enclosed pictures to see the tree. Looking for ways to increase foliage in my tree.
Butler County Ohio
Expert Response
Kimberly,
This is not likely a Dogwood tree. From the flower I can see, it appears to be a highly-stressed Magnolia, perhaps Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana):
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-virginiana/
The identification is important to help setup the right growing conditions and nutrition for your tree. Magnolias are shallow-rooted and prefer acidic soil. In SW Ohio, we have alkaline soil - which can partially explain the chlorotic leaves on your tree:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/environmental/iron-chlorosis
The past two winters have been difficult for plants that are already stressed; so the dead branches may have been caused by the suddenly-cold temperatures we had in December 2022 & 2023. Now that blooming is finished, you can prune these away :
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
Since your tree is large, it is likely that the root system is growing under your lawn - competing with the grass for nutrients and water and, perhaps, suffering from any herbicide treatment of the lawn (assuming your lawn is treated). You can help avoid this by expanding the non-lawn area around the tree - being careful not to damage the shallow roots. If you keep the same mulch area, be sure that the tree is watered sufficiently during dry spells (1"/week). Also, adding a layer of compost below the mulch and using a fertilizer meant for acid-loving plants will help with nutrition-related symptoms:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2347
Please let me know if you have further questions.
This is not likely a Dogwood tree. From the flower I can see, it appears to be a highly-stressed Magnolia, perhaps Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana):
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-virginiana/
The identification is important to help setup the right growing conditions and nutrition for your tree. Magnolias are shallow-rooted and prefer acidic soil. In SW Ohio, we have alkaline soil - which can partially explain the chlorotic leaves on your tree:
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/environmental/iron-chlorosis
The past two winters have been difficult for plants that are already stressed; so the dead branches may have been caused by the suddenly-cold temperatures we had in December 2022 & 2023. Now that blooming is finished, you can prune these away :
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs
Since your tree is large, it is likely that the root system is growing under your lawn - competing with the grass for nutrients and water and, perhaps, suffering from any herbicide treatment of the lawn (assuming your lawn is treated). You can help avoid this by expanding the non-lawn area around the tree - being careful not to damage the shallow roots. If you keep the same mulch area, be sure that the tree is watered sufficiently during dry spells (1"/week). Also, adding a layer of compost below the mulch and using a fertilizer meant for acid-loving plants will help with nutrition-related symptoms:
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2347
Please let me know if you have further questions.
