Sad dogwood trees - Ask Extension
We are in the process of building a teaching garden at our Ask-s-Master Gardener site at the Severna Park Farmer's Market. Several plants have been do...
Knowledgebase
Sad dogwood trees #910332
Asked July 18, 2025, 5:28 AM EDT
We are in the process of building a teaching garden at our Ask-s-Master Gardener site at the Severna Park Farmer's Market. Several plants have been donated by various sources in the community including two young dogwoods donated by the Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards. We have kept them watered but they are looking very unhealthy and we hope you will be able to advise us.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
The leaf symptoms look like scorch from the weather (high heat and/or insufficient soil moisture at some point) and a minor amount of powdery mildew. If the dogwoods are the straight species (not a cultivar), then they can be more vulnerable to powdery mildew outbreaks, since many cultivars have above-average mildew resistance.
Monitor the soil moisture carefully, since flowering dogwoods are quite sensitive to being over-watered and under-watered. The soil should get somewhat dry to the touch at about a 6-inch depth before watering should be needed. If the soil in this location is compacted or not very well-drained (does it get runoff from the parking lot?), that could be adding to the tree's root stress, which in turn predisposes it to leaf scorch.
No fungicide for the powdery mildew is needed or recommended given the tree's mild symptoms. Make sure the trees are not planted too deeply, where the root flare is covered with soil or mulch, which will also help to make sure the root system isn't deprived of enough oxygen due to soil depth. The most common cause of loss for young dogwoods (and many newly-installed plants) is due to extremes of root moisture (too much or too little).
Miri
Monitor the soil moisture carefully, since flowering dogwoods are quite sensitive to being over-watered and under-watered. The soil should get somewhat dry to the touch at about a 6-inch depth before watering should be needed. If the soil in this location is compacted or not very well-drained (does it get runoff from the parking lot?), that could be adding to the tree's root stress, which in turn predisposes it to leaf scorch.
No fungicide for the powdery mildew is needed or recommended given the tree's mild symptoms. Make sure the trees are not planted too deeply, where the root flare is covered with soil or mulch, which will also help to make sure the root system isn't deprived of enough oxygen due to soil depth. The most common cause of loss for young dogwoods (and many newly-installed plants) is due to extremes of root moisture (too much or too little).
Miri
