Gray Dogwood Flopping over - Ask Extension
I am having an issue with my Gray dogwood that I've had for I think 4 years now. It has majorly flopped over this year as of about 4-5 days ago. It d...
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Gray Dogwood Flopping over #934218
Asked June 04, 2026, 3:49 PM EDT
I am having an issue with my Gray dogwood that I've had for I think 4 years now. It has majorly flopped over this year as of about 4-5 days ago. It doesn't seem wilted at all, and is now happy and blooming. I'd like to understand WHY it happened and how to handle it moving forward. Thanks ! I do have a video that shows it better but couldn't attach it here.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Have you checked the base of the tree? Are there roots being pulled out of the ground? Are there any bulges in the bark like there is an insect burrowing just underneath? The following web pages describe Dogwood problems, but not your issue.
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-dogwoods/
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/dogwood-diseases-insect-pests/
You can try staking the tree upright, but the best thing would be to discover the cause in the first place. I had this happen to a Paper Birch, but that was an infestation of Bronze Birch Borer.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees
There is an insect known as the Dogwood Borer that may be the culprit.
https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/dogwood-borer/
An ISA Certified Arborist may have to examine the tree to know for sure. In my case, I had the bent over Birch trunk removed and the tree sprouted new trunks from the stump which have now grown to full size. See this web page. Dogwoods may do the same thing.
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=771258
Godo luck!
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-dogwoods/
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/dogwood-diseases-insect-pests/
You can try staking the tree upright, but the best thing would be to discover the cause in the first place. I had this happen to a Paper Birch, but that was an infestation of Bronze Birch Borer.
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/staking-and-guying-trees
There is an insect known as the Dogwood Borer that may be the culprit.
https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/factsheets/dogwood-borer/
An ISA Certified Arborist may have to examine the tree to know for sure. In my case, I had the bent over Birch trunk removed and the tree sprouted new trunks from the stump which have now grown to full size. See this web page. Dogwoods may do the same thing.
https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=771258
Godo luck!
The ground does not appear disturbed at all. No sign of damage that I can see and now it is happily blooming. Someone suggested it may just have grown too much too fast and need a healthy pruning. I'll check out the links.
April Pupedis
PaperPie Brand Partner
ReadingwithApril.com
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