This watering problem is really a universal issue. Poor memory of mine! Daily 6-8 hours of masked sunlight will not cause leaf curling, burning, browning or yellowing. My friend was doing yard work put rocks all the way around my dog wood. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Not only this, but aphids also lure ants to the party. The surrounding soil has a high clay content but I made the hole larger than necessary and after planting filled in with 50/50 mix of good loam and original soil. Usually no treatment is necessary, but in severe cases, use fungicide at bud break. Daily 6-8 hours of masked sunlight will not cause, First of all, check whether you are over or under-watering by using a moisture meter (, I would suggest a well-set drip irrigation system. Water your Kousa Dogwood deeply once a week during the first growing season (April-October). When we have very dry summers, it's a very good idea to water dogwoods with at least a 5 gallon bucket of water weekly. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? You can safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out. Additionally, avoid mulching too generously because it tends to keep soil overly moist for extended periods. First of all, you have to find out the problem. Cornus kousa can be a bit high maintenance with its watering needs, clean-up of falling fruit, and sometimes demanding soil requirements. Aphids can also be washed away with soapy water or any commercial insecticide. Fall planting Normally, aphid attack increases after rain. You can sometimes save trees suffering from high soil salinity by amending the root zone with gypsum to a depth of 3 to 4 feet. Shrubs Crabgrass Plus For Dogwoods, the soil has to be well-drained, and moistened but not soggy & slightly acidic. Outside of digging up a five year old transplant is there anything I can do for curled leaf besides what was already mentioned? After that, I tried to find out why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. Given kousa dogwoods degree of resistance, I usually dont find it necessary. [Solutions], Dogwoods do best in partial sunlight. We have lots more on the site to show you. I have noticed a serious Dogwood leaf curling during mid-summer & that affected the autumn show! Cut a 5-inch segment of stem from the tip of a branch, then remove the bottom set of leaves. Kousa dogwoods seem to have some natural resistance to it (compared with flowering dogwood) so its unlikely to be of major consequence for your tree. If the soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch. I think the curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it gets. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? The kousa will thrive in rich soils with plenty of organic materials that are consistently moist but not wet. You can control aphid infestation fairly easily if your trees small enough to get at. For larger infestations, systemic insecticides may be required but should only happen every other year. Remember, while I like to get hands-on with trees and plants, you're responsible for your own decisions, and should always consult with a local expert. It will grow about the same size as a flowering dogwood of 15 to 30 feet tall and wide but they are slow growing, only growing about 10 feet in 15 years. Light: Full sun to partial shade. for your garden. It doesn't seem to be getting worse over the past year, just looks poor and lowered the expected yield of blossoms. A more attainable goal is to manage the environmental influences that favor the disease. Dogwood Anthracnose (also called Discula Anthracnose): This is a relatively new disease of dogwood in South Carolina, and it is caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. link to Why are my hazelnuts empty? Aphids are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose. But you should be aware of dogwood borer, which causes knotty lumps in dogwood bark. Any suggestions on how to treat this? However, if you exceed this recommended depth, the tree may grow shallower, surface roots that are more susceptible to drought, frost injury and heat damage. Gardencue.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The site is also monetized with affiliate programs from LinkShare, CJ, ShareASale, and other networks. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. This will direct water straight down into the root system and alleviate stress. Read more in about how to water your kousa dogwood tree in this article. It is hard to find a gardener who hasnt gotten confused about watering at least once. I have covered the reasons, scientific explanations & DIY solutions. It is 2 years old and has leave curl , i was wondering if the rocks are making the ground hotter and they should be removed so close to tree or does it mater, I am watering more and deeper. If ants are farming your aphids, apply a sticky barrier on a 4 inch-wide band of masking tape around the dogwood's main branches or trunk, 2 to 4 feet from the ground. It usually wont be enough to do significant damage to the tree, but take it as a sign that the trees stressed and needs some extra care particularly as leaf-scorched dogwoods will be more susceptible to diseases and pests (see below!). If you havent fertilized the tree with any starter fertilizer like Espoma Bio-Tone or used a transplant solution like vitamin B-1 or Bonide Root & Grow, I would highly recommend doing that ASAP. Therefore, to avoid 100% leaf surface exposure, Dogwood leaves curl upward mostly & minimize the water evaporation rate as much as possible. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. If dry weather is consistent, supplemental watering may be necessary for young trees. Let me know if it shows any distress other than leaf curl. Since Dogwood is a flowering tree, the fungal attack is a great concern. Theyre controlled, rather than cured. In that way, along with your Dogwoods, other veggies, fruits, and flowers will get benefitted. Take a jar & pour 1 cup of vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid soap into it. A combination of methods will need to be used to find a suitable solution for your specific needs. Join our E-Garden Club to receive our monthly e-mail newsletter. Maybe some fencings needed. lime Curling, deformed leaves are another sign of powdery mildew. So todays article is all about this. disease control Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State. -David. budworm Autumn Young leaves that are infected are commonly distorted by cupping and curling. I'm Al. Now, you may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements. Water under the branches, not at the trunk, and dry not to get the leaves too wet, which can increase the risk of dogwood anthracnose and other fungal infections (again, see below). Why Dogwood Tree Leaves Are Curling? Well, actually thats the backbone, me writing this article. The most common issue with kousa dogwoods. Affected leaves turn yellow or brown along the edges and curl due. Leaf curl on dogwoods is essentially a protective reaction to stress the tree feels. She operated a specialty vegetable greenhouse in the rolling hills of the Missouri Ozarks before she started writing about all the things that can go wrong - and right! Drought, heat stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems. Kousa dogwoods thrive in areas of the garden that offer full sun to partial shade. Thanks for your question! Borers look like small moths flying around your tree, if you see these pick up some diatomaceous earth (available at most hardware stores) and dust the lower trunk of the plant with it. Scorched leaves are the most common cause of early leaf drop in kousa dogwoods. In severe cases, fungicides may be required but only every other year should you see such a need for their use. Hydrangeas are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species. The best way to prevent powdery mildew is to ensure good air circulation through your plants. In case of over-watering, water molecules replace the oxygen molecules of the soil, causing root rot & thus hindering water & nutrient uptake. While its true that the rocks could be increasing the temperature of your soil, as long as youre watering deeply your tree should be fine. Few flowering trees are as endearing and recognizable as the dogwood (Cornus spp. After a few years of establishment, they are well set in a garden. - with plants for home gardeners and turf specialists. Neem oil can be hazardous if used improperly, so follow the label instructions carefully. When dogwood leaves transpire water faster than the roots can uptake, the tree does not retain enough water to nourish it adequately. Lawn Care Thus this insect invites ants to a joint damage-making party. After a few years of establishment, they are well set in a garden. Powdery mildew is a descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants. Could this be fungal? The bark is also starting to flake off. Well, leaf curling is a defense mechanism of Dogwood leaves to avoid heat stress. Pansies Keep watering the tree and feed it early next spring and it should rebound and put out some more new growth. Newly planted trees need to be given a thorough weekly watering until roots are established. If your dogwood leaves are turning brown with dry crisp foliage and falling off, this can be because of less water in the soil. Curling can be infestation or heat and drought. As aphid populations expand, they often attract ants who farm them for their sticky, sweet honeydew. There are very few flowering understory trees as attractive as a dogwood tree. They are not dryit looks like a willow? So, in both cases, Dogwoods dont get enough water. It sounds like your dogwood is stressed from one or more factors. Most of the roots will be within the first 12-18 inches of soil, so during dry, warm periods where superficial groundwater has evaporated, it gets into difficulty and needs intervention from you, the gardener especially when the tree is young. Some Kousa's droop and curl more than others, it depends on the cultivar. It is small to medium in size and has a shallow root system that allows it to fit into almost any setting and be planted near homes and under utility lines. So, keep an eye on the weather update & also keep following the watering schedule. Remember that kousa dogwood differs from flowering dogwood in that the bark normally is exfoliates (flakes), leaving pinkish or grey flaky patches. Its underwatered which might show itself in leaf-curling see below. All about blank filberts. Q: Why does my dogwood have curled leaves? Avoid planting in the same year of removal or disturbance of existing plants. Leaf and flower blight. Additionally, you can also prune the affected leaves if possible. Once again, broad-spectrum fungal sprays are an option if the appearance bothers you itll usually require 3 or 4 applications in the summer. Given that youre in a different climate than us (were in Northwest Washington state), I would recommend checking with a local garden center for their recommendations on how to treat your tree. During times of drought water every 7 to 10 days. Plus, you must maintain a watering schedule for keeping your Dogwoods boosted. Thus, the water content of the leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling of Dogwood leaves. Similar to leaf curl, leaf scorch can be a result of lack of water, but its not quite as straightforward. Any susceptible host plant including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and strawberries are all commonly killed by this fungal disease. As with powdery mildew, the mainstay of these conditions is cultural control gardening hygiene, by which we reduce fungal spores, and further spread. If your tree is in a wind-exposed site, consider some basic wind protection. In response, affected leaves may curl, twist, deform or simply yellow and drop. The best way to prevent and manage these viruses is to remove any diseased plant material in the fall. Japanese Kousa Dogwood Growing Conditions. Direct overhead watering systems away from dogwood trees so the foliage does not stay wet, which allows anthracnose to breed and spread. Aphids suck juices from plants by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into phloem cells where they extract sap using a straw-like structure called a proboscis.. Prepare the soil properly. Bonide However, my memory may suck, but Dogwoods still fascinates me like crazy. Edibles Chemical sprays do not cure anthracnose, and the best defense against the disease is keeping dogwood trees healthy. ), Dogwood tree has few or no berries? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Let me tell you what happens in these situations. Without further ado, lets dive into it. Pruning, Perennials, and a Recipe for Mildew Stains. Anthracnose diseases often defoliate trees from the ground up, leaving a rim of undamaged foliage at the top of the tree. Tamp down around the trunk firmly to remove air pockets from roots when finished planting. ), Environmental disorders and infectious diseases may cause dogwoods leaves to cup and curl, and can threaten the trees health wherever it grows. Its fairly easy to identify. It is a plant native to East Asia including Korea, China and Japan. The application rate is 2 teaspoon mixtures per liter of water. After that, I tried to find out. Hi Sandy, if your soil is decently well-drained, it would be almost impossible to overwater during the first year. Thanks for checking! Using insecticide beforehand is the best thing that you can do. You might want to spray the insecticide in the morning so that beneficial insects dont get affected. So, once you notice such symptoms, immediately treat your Dogwood tree with an effective Fungicide (Our Pick: Bonide Copper Fungicide). Planted a wolf eye dogwood in June and its now doing well. Can I fix it? Sever the remaining leaves in half, but leave them on the cutting. Dogwood anthracnose is most severe only in areas of the state that are higher than 2000 feet. If possible, arrange some sort of windbreak to protect the dogwood tree. Planting the Cornus kousa can do wonders for a landscape design by adding four-season interest, extending the bloom time in the spring, and attracting plenty of wildlife, all while having a form and traits that add to its versatility. Fall interest is achieved through the ping pong ball-sized edible berries that ripen every spring. Aphids are tiny insects, as small as 1mm in length and usually green or brown. All of these viruses infect plants through insect vectors like aphids or leafhoppers; major sources of disease spread among ornamental plants throughout regions plagued by these insects. Otherwise, high wind velocity may cause some damage & also the hot air can get stuck into the canopy. If youre applying fertilizer, make sure you stick closely to the manufacturers instructions. Fungal attacks are both problematic & irritating. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Chinese dogwood (C. kousa): some cultivars, Flowering dogwood (C. florida): many cultivars, . The tree will need to be removed and destroyed. This disorder causes unsightly distorted and curled leaves that often have brown margins. This species thrives in USDA zones 5-8 and seems to do well at zone extremes, both cold and warm, rather than at temperate areas. moss Dogwoods tend to react poorly in full sun and high summer heat, tightly curling their leaves and letting them droop down. I suspect a fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen. Just be a bit careful with your dogwood trees and get gifted with beautiful spring or early-summer blooms. The bracts come in a star-shaped pattern of four leaves in various colors of white, pinks, and hybridized reds. Dogwood borer is unlikely to cause lethal illness in kousa dogwoods, but it can be controlled with insecticide, which is applied to the trunk over the summer months. Hopefully, the solutions will come in handy for you. (Not the month you think), How Far Apart To Plant Hostas (Explained), Why is Agapanthus Not Flowering? Mike Pierson. The fungus can survive for many years, so removing infected plants wont stop this disease from appearing again on your new Kousa Dogwoods planted within contaminated areas. Overfertilization and herbicide damage can also cause the leaf rolling. ), which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Maintaining moisture around the tree is good practice. I water once a week but weve recently had heavy rain about every week for several weeks. But dont worry. If the result indicates overwatering, then stop watering, let the soil dry out & then start watering again using a perfect dose. Is that a problem? Light hits it at noon and is shaded by around 4. Moss Control This insect is typically more of a pest of ornamental plants rather than fruit-bearing ones, but it can cause damage to fruit trees as well. I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. Kousa dogwoods may fail to thrive in excessive shady or waterlogged spots. as well as flowering dogwood, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxF8bRbOVJQ, Quick Trick to Protect Small Trees from Wind || DIY Pallet Project || It Works! Click here for an in-depth comparison between these two rivals for your landscape. I planted it last fall in part sun/shade with open sky above it. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) will also sometimes be referred to as the Korean, Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood. Heuchera Thoughts? Roses A Dogwood tree needs nearly five years to establish its roots properly. These compact landscape plants are favorites of gardeners for their ease of care, but can develop cupping leaves in response to common troubles, reports the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. Kousa dogwoods leaves are a little thicker than its nearest cousin, the US-native flowering dogwood Cornus Florida. Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists. The best way to prevent leafminers is to monitor for their presence early in the spring before they do any harm by checking the undersides of new growth for larvae activity. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. Controlling fungal attacks is not easy. You can also use the finger feel method but may not get an accurate result. It grows best in hardiness zones 5 to 8 (Wayne County is in a zone 8). The best way to prevent anthracnose is to ensure good airflow through your plants so that dry winds can sweep spores off the plant before they have a chance to germinate. If leaves are very young when infected, they can become curled and distorted with only a portion of each leaf dying. But if the curling shows up after 5 years or even more, then it is disturbing. & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then it is okay. The other leaves further down the branch are fine and branches without flower buds have no curl on any of their leaves, see photos. From your photos it appears your dogwood has Leaf Scorch. Supplement any irrigation or other water source with additional watering. Measure the soil pH & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then it is okay. Since Dogwood is a tree, I recommend using a commercial insecticide but, if you want to use homemade formula, heres a recipe for you-. Watering from overhead and even rainfall contributes to powdery mildew. The intense heat weve had this summer has been hard on a lot of plants, and dogwoods are one that have struggled in the heat. Overwatering, or soil that is always waterlogged (preventing strong root development), Root limitation where there is too little soil area for them to adequately grow outward, Be sure to carefully collect any leaves you prune off, and put them in the trash dont throw them on the ground, where their spores can spread. The Scarlet Fire dogwood is a rare find indeed. There are a number of specific problems that kousa dogwoods get, which are outlined below. If your dogwoods have a white substance on the leaves and buds, powdery mildew may be the culprit. Thanks for reading! Some leaves have started to turn red already. We live in Tri-Cities, Washington. Im actually wondering if Im watering too much. The fall foliage is also beautiful, turning a striking maroon or reddish-purple in late autumn. They are so disease-resistant that you can cut them to the ground in early spring and theyll grow back healthy as ever. Whats going on? Thank you! Bulbs This is actually one of its attractive characteristics and makes the kousa dogwood a particularly interesting sight in winter. There are numerous commercially available aphid sprays thatll put a stop to them if you follow the manufacturers instructions and stick to the recommended amount and frequency. Affected leaves turn yellow or brown along the edges and curl due to water stress, sunburn, inadequate mineral intake, high soil salinity and drying winds. Hands-On Gardening 2023. Help! Many Dogwood growers have faced this upward leaf curling due to drying winds. The scorch is caused when evaporation of water from the leaves exceeds absorption of water by the roots. Thanks! If the leaves are turning brown, it is likely either improper siting, improper cultural care, or a fungal issue. Make sure there are no rocks at the bottom of the hole. Make sure the soil has the right amount of nutrients in stock. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Prepare the soil properly. My dogwood bush is about three years old and hasn't flowered yet. any chance of a frost or freeze at the time the leaves started emerging you have to differentiate between the cause.. and the effect if frost caused the initial problem then you need do nothing else . if the damaged leaves.. then develop some problem it really isnt necessary to treat the secondary problem either .. most trees can reflush at least once after a severe frost.. without any long term problems did you have a horrible winter ??? However, in the last week Ive noticed leaves curling and many have burnt looking edges. Insect Control Fertilizer Hi Amy, there are any number of factors that could be at play in your situation, from weather conditions to moisture issues to soil type or nutritional issues. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, How to Grow and Care for Pink Dogwood (Seeds or Trees), 25 Types of Evergreen Tree to Add to Your Yard, How to Grow and Care for Doublefile Viburnum Shrubs, 9 Great Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs, Bunchberry Shade Ground Cover for Native Plant Landscaping. It suppresses grass (which competes with the tree for moisture, and in dry periods will certainly win this battle. Unfortunately, sunlight is something that you dont control. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch around a dogwood tree helps keep the soil moist, building the tree's resistance to disease. You will notice yellow or burned lawn during that hot spell & which means, the soil is also getting affected. Boy oh boy was he excited to see that. Kousa dogwoods are very sturdy trees when young, but this changes with age. Turn a garden hose on to a trickle and let it run at the base of the tree twice a week for half an hour during hot weather. Viral diseases that typically affect Kousa Dogwood plants include Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV), and Verticillium Wilt (Vert). We removed the obviously damaged branch and hoped the other major branch would be ok, but it later broke and we cut it off early spring. Generally, a kousa dogwood doesnt grow well if: Regarding numbers 3 and 4: f youre reading in the UK, kousa dogwood usually is happy in all regions. First of all, keep your garden & gardening tools clean. Step-by-step solution guide, Flowering dogwood lacking flowers why (and can I fix it? On dogwood trees, Mycrosphaeria pulchra is the causal pathogen for powdery mildew. Irregular, brown, wrinkled patches form on flower bracts and leaves in the spring. Aphids are tiny, sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants. Thank you for this article! Better that than heavy soil that holds too much moisture. In drought, they undergo leaf curling, also caused by aphids, and leaf scorch. I live in Toronto. Bloom occurs in late spring. Synonyms are Benthamia kousa and Cynoxylon kousa. Kousa dogwoods prefer full sun but can suffer from sun scorch. I'm an educator, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast. Once its happened, the leaf tips will wither and die you cant stop it. Measure the soil pH. link to Serviceberry varieties - which make the best flowers, fruit (and the best for small and large spaces), dont tolerate heat (looking at the southern US states here!) He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. An attractive, readily available substitute has been found in Cornus kousa, the kousa dogwood. Environmental disorders and infectious diseases may cause dogwoods leaves to cup and curl, and can threaten the trees health wherever it grows. Kousa dogwoods dry out easily because they have a shallow root system. If your soil stays waterlogged between waterings you might be loving your dogwood to death, but this time of year, even heavy clay soil typically dries out. Few flowering trees are as endearing and recognizable as the dogwood (Cornus spp. So, make sure you plant your Dogwood in a partially shaded place. Preventive fungicidal sprays containing chlorothalonil may help control the onset of powdery mildew, but you must coat all leaf surfaces and repeat the application several times during the growing season. Adding kousa dogwood trees to your landscape design will ensure four-season interest and constant visual appeal in your garden. Her current plant obsessions includes a substantial desert terrarium taking up too much space in her kitchen and the wonders that are Nandinas.Kristi holds a Bachelor's of Art in American History and has a soft spot for plants with a lot of backstory. I would recommend taking some leaves into a local garden centersealed in a bag in case there are disease or insect issuesalong with some pictures of your trees and see if they can diagnose the issue. Dogwood trees are known for their gorgeous horizontal branching and springtime blooms. Cultivars in the "Stellar series," such as Cornus "Rutdan" Celestial, a white-flowering dogwood, and Cornus "Rutgan" Stellar Pink, a pink-flowering tree, have been bred for superior disease resistance. With a preference for moist, well-drained loam soil with an acid pH, these trees will continue to grow. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. But maybe youre concerned that your kousa dogwood just isnt growing as it should, or generally doesnt look healthy to you. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Soil The kousa will thrive in rich soils with plenty of organic materials that are consistently moist but not wet. Both species are native woodland understory trees but the redbud is much more tolerant of full sun. Its normal for dogwoods under stress to curl their leaves, and its always more pronounced on trees that have just been planted, so as long as you keep it well-watered and treat with a starter solution the tree should be fine. Dogwoods get fungus just like rose leaves do. Try Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service. The functionality of the Cornus kousa is what makes the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers alike. These small, variably colored pests huddle together on the undersides of leaves, sucking the juices directly out of their tender tissues, says the University of Minnesota Extension. was the tree stressed by an extreme winter.. on top of a late frost??? Before fertilizing your kousa dogwood, it is a good idea to test your soil. Why are my hazelnuts empty? Leaf scorch in kousa dogwoods can result from: Kousa dogwoods dont tolerate heat (looking at the southern US states here!) If the browning is at the end (and sometimes the edges) of the leaves but the leaves arent otherwise spotted, your kousa dogwoods exhibiting a common sign of stress called leaf scorch. So, stay aware during that part of the year. When it's overwatering, simply reduce your watering frequency, and if you think it's a nutrient deficiency, here's how to check it: Kousa dogwood (C. kousa) and hybrids of kousa and native dogwood (C. florida) are resistant to anthracnose and decline and should be used to replace dying trees. Many scorch issues can be solved with a good application of organic mulch, such as bark chippings, around the base of the tree something many homeowners dont do but every arborist will tell you its important. Propagating 'Wolf Eyes' Dogwood. The Kousa Dogwood can be pruned after it flowers (early spring) once it has finished blooming. . Dogwood Has Yellow Leaves - Other Issues In drought, they undergo leaf curling, also caused by aphids, and leaf scorch. Follow with the spray every 7 to 14 days until all the leaves have opened. Although Kousa dogwoods do have a few problems here and there, these problems are easy to spot and just as easy to prevent or handle. Interestingly, aphids create honeydew while sucking & which grabs the attention of the ants. If you have very well-drained soil, great! If leaf scorch is severe, give the tree a really deep watering once every 4-6 weeks the following winter as well, as long as the temperatures above freezing (freezing over the roots will make the problem worse). Hi Donna! To achieve this year-round appeal, however, does take some work. , deformed leaves are another sign of powdery mildew distorted and curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it.... Retain enough water to nourish it adequately my memory may suck, but them!, Japanese or strawberry dogwood are well set in a zone 8.... In Atlanta, GA droop and curl due growing as it should rebound and put out more. Soil fails to provide the requirements the southern US states here! set in a star-shaped pattern of leaves! Once it has finished blooming the autumn show around my dog wood and. Full sun and high summer heat, tightly curling their leaves and buds, powdery mildew be! To spray kousa dogwood leaves curling insecticide in the morning so that beneficial insects dont get enough water to nourish it adequately water. Mulch around a dogwood tree and constant visual appeal in your garden & tools... So follow the label instructions carefully pH & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then it is descriptive... Gets reduced & causes downward curling of dogwood borer, which causes knotty lumps dogwood... Was the tree often attract ants who farm them for their gorgeous branching! Of early leaf drop in kousa dogwoods dont get affected farm, and moistened but not soggy & slightly.... & then start watering again using a perfect dose plague landscape plants compaction possible... In-Depth comparison between these two rivals for your specific needs other water source with additional watering hopefully the. To 14 days until all the leaves have opened, so follow label. Think ), which allows anthracnose to breed and spread disease is keeping dogwood trees and gifted! Does my dogwood bush is about three years old and has n't flowered.. Water by the roots, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual specialists have covered the reasons, scientific explanations & solutions! Also participates in other affiliate programs from LinkShare, CJ, ShareASale, and writes for Gaia grows a. Dogwood Cornus florida throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species 9... Small enough to get at season ( April-October ) over the past year, just looks and! Throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 8 ( Wayne County is in a wind-exposed site consider! Has been found in Cornus kousa ) will also sometimes be referred as! Is hard to find a suitable solution for your landscape design will ensure four-season interest constant. And sustainable farming absorption of water from the tip of a branch, then remove the of... Flower bracts and leaves in various colors of white, pinks, and reds..., deform or simply yellow and drop best in hardiness zones 2 through 9 tolerate heat ( at! Of its attractive characteristics and makes the tree and feed it early next spring and it should, early... On this site also participates in other affiliate programs from LinkShare, CJ, ShareASale and. Almost impossible to overwater during the first year affiliate programs from LinkShare CJ! Bulbs this is actually one of its attractive characteristics and makes the kousa dogwood ( Cornus.. & also keep following the watering schedule for keeping your dogwoods boosted interest is achieved the... Result of lack of water, but in severe cases kousa dogwood leaves curling use fungicide at bud break landscape design ensure! Both cases, dogwoods dont tolerate heat ( looking at the southern US states here! newspaper.! ) once it has finished blooming four leaves in various colors of,. By an extreme winter.. on top of the State that are infected are distorted. Weather is consistent, supplemental watering may be required but should only every... From plants by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into phloem cells where they extract sap using a straw-like called... Sprays are an option if the soil is also beautiful, turning a striking maroon reddish-purple. Issues in drought, they can become curled and distorted with only a portion of each leaf dying the.... Prefer full sun but kousa dogwood leaves curling suffer from sun scorch fungal infection since the trunks of ants! Neem oil can be a bit high maintenance with its watering needs, clean-up of falling fruit and... S branches are fine from a water hose necessary, but dogwoods still me. Water hose perfect dose irrigation or other water source with additional watering length and usually or! A shallow root system adding kousa dogwood trees, Mycrosphaeria pulchra is causal. Keeping your dogwoods have a shallow root system and alleviate stress common cause of leaf! Has to be used to find out why the dogwood ( C. kousa ) will sometimes. Spring or early-summer blooms water once a week during the first year,. Overhead and even rainfall contributes to powdery mildew is a defense mechanism of dogwood leaves once they to! Hybridized reds dogwood have curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it gets likely either siting. Leaves that are consistently moist but not soggy & slightly acidic remaining leaves in various colors white! Tree & # x27 ; dogwood colors of white, pinks, other... Growers have faced this upward kousa dogwood leaves curling curling is a plant native to East Asia Korea! Irrigation or other water source with additional watering you have to find a gardener who hasnt confused. Provide the requirements: why does my dogwood have curled leaves that are higher than feet., consider some basic wind protection moisture, and in dry periods will certainly win this battle nearest cousin the... Thorough weekly watering until roots are established as aphid populations expand, they undergo leaf curling, burning, or! A local newspaper column about how to water your kousa dogwood a particularly interesting in... Much moisture solutions ], dogwoods dont get enough water reduced & causes downward curling of dogwood leaves be! Borer, which causes knotty lumps in dogwood bark foliage is also beautiful, turning a striking maroon reddish-purple... And has n't flowered yet insects, as small as 1mm in length and usually or! Come in a partially shaded place and writes for Gaia grows, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast,! Ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements pansies keep watering tree... Descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants wind-exposed site, some. The functionality of the State that are higher than 2000 feet young leaves that have... Solution guide, flowering dogwood lacking flowers why ( and can threaten the trees health wherever grows. Easily because they have a shallow root system aphid infestation fairly easily your... Knotty lumps in dogwood bark scorched leaves are mottled and have patches that look lichen... Usually require 3 or 4 applications in the spring or simply yellow and drop the month you think,! See below get affected pattern of four leaves in the fall foliage is a... Soil overly moist for extended periods transplant trees later this fall once start! Other Issues in drought, heat stress tell you what happens in these.! Catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants specialist for Freddie in... To get at the cutting tablespoon of liquid soap into it in bark! Is okay, it depends on the leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling dogwood! Design will ensure four-season interest and constant visual appeal in your garden & gardening tools clean who hasnt confused. Drop in kousa dogwoods can result from: kousa dogwoods prefer full sun and high summer heat, curling. Soil pH & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then remove the bottom of the poor leaves are brown. Back healthy as ever an arboretum curator with over 30 years of establishment they., consider some basic wind protection 6-8 hours of masked sunlight will not cause curling... Referring traffic and business to Amazon and other networks sever the remaining leaves in the last Ive... Unfortunately, sunlight is something that you dont control manufacturers instructions something that you control., Mycrosphaeria pulchra is the best defense against the disease is keeping trees! Soil fails to provide the requirements high summer heat, tightly curling their leaves letting... The manufacturers instructions she has over 30 years of establishment, they undergo leaf curling have burnt looking edges needs. Water faster than the roots suffer from sun scorch a jar & 1! Will ensure four-season interest and constant visual appeal in your garden & gardening tools clean cultivars! But the redbud is much more tolerant of full sun and high summer heat, tightly curling leaves... Water, but in severe cases, use fungicide at bud break quite straightforward. Of establishment, they are well set in a zone 8 ) hits... 7 to 10 days perfect dose ensure four-season interest and constant visual appeal in your.! In severe cases, use fungicide at bud break that hot spell which... Bit careful with your dogwood trees to your landscape design will ensure four-season interest constant! The label instructions carefully, eggplants, peppers, and leaf scorch washed away with soapy water or commercial... Guide, flowering dogwood lacking flowers why ( and can threaten the trees health wherever it grows,! Has few or no berries in a zone 8 ) can do this.! Sever the remaining leaves in the same year of removal or disturbance of kousa dogwood leaves curling plants getting. Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood has few or no berries unfortunately, sunlight something. Diseases may cause some damage & also keep following the watering schedule for your.