kousa dogwood leaves curling

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. The kousa berries are a visual delight and offer a delicious treat to the wildlife who use them as a nearly endless source of food before winter. Thank you for this article! These berries will attract birds, deer, small mammals, and possibly neighbors in the know who are interested in wine and jelly making. Maintaining moisture around the tree is good practice. Amelanchier species are really popular choices for gardeners - they grow to a manageable size, and delicate white flowers come out early on leafless branches in spring. Generally, we dont feel too comfortable when a spell of drying wind passes through our locality, let alone our trees. They are understory trees in the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, moist soil. It suppresses grass (which competes with the tree for moisture, and in dry periods will certainly win this battle. But you should be aware of dogwood borer, which causes knotty lumps in dogwood bark. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! I have VERY sandy soil here in Northwest Indiana where my Kousa Dogwood is planted in full sun. However, rainy seasons are best for fungal attacks. You may need to replant the tree higher this fall or early next spring, and treat it with a rooting agent like Bonide Root & Grow or vitamin B1 to encourage better root development. It has been hot in NJ this summer like the rest of the country. Kousa dogwoods are native to eastern Asia and can be found growing in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam. The kousa is one of these shallow-rooted trees. In drought, they undergo leaf curling, also caused by aphids, and leaf scorch. Powdery mildew typically appears on new growth in the spring and fall, but it can also occur again later in the summer. Dogwood trees adapt quite well in any location. Continue to water at the base of the tree until cooler fall weather arrives, even if it drops its leaves early. Curling, deformed leaves are another sign of powdery mildew. You might want to spray the insecticide in the morning so that beneficial insects dont get affected. Once its happened, the leaf tips will wither and die you cant stop it. Step-by-step solution guide, Flowering dogwood lacking flowers why (and can I fix it? A more attainable goal is to manage the environmental influences that favor the disease. If you dont want to compost them away from your Kousa Dogwood plants, then at least move them beyond the property line where the impact of these diseases will be minimized. 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. I would suggest a well-set drip irrigation system for your garden. Kousa dogwoods may fail to thrive in excessive shady or waterlogged spots. Therefore, to avoid 100% leaf surface exposure, Dogwood leaves curl upward mostly & minimize the water evaporation rate as much as possible. Kousa dogwood is a great choice of tree if you ask me. Kousa dogwood grows 15 to 20 feet tall and has beautiful exfoliating bark, long lasting flowers, good fall color, and attractive fruit. Because anthracnose pathogens overwinter in fallen debris, rake all fallen leaves, and remove dropped twigs and branches after leaf fall in autumn. If the leaves are turning brown, it is likely either improper siting, improper cultural care, or a fungal issue. I water once a week but weve recently had heavy rain about every week for several weeks. Remember - do not put the mulch next to the trunk of the tree. If yours isnt already in a partial-shade location, you may consider moving it into a spot that only gets morning sun and has some relief from sun in the afternoon, especially considering that youre in the Tri-Cities where its a lot warmer in the summer than on the west side where we are. Vegetables The bark is also starting to flake off. are found to be highly effective against aphids. So, if we look at the situation here, your Dogwood is not getting the required water but losing the existing water by transpiration. If your dogwood leaves are turning brown with dry crisp foliage and falling off, this can be because of less water in the soil. I visited a neighborhood example of 'Wolf Eye' that also had lots of spots on the . So, keep an eye on the weather update & also keep following the watering schedule. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. Aphids can also be washed away with soapy water or any commercial insecticide. No patches. Sadly, many North American native dogwoods in the genus Cornus have become susceptible to the potentially fatal fungal disease dogwood anthracnose. 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. Even a well-watered plant can get leaf scorch, though its less likely. He is an arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience. Thank you! Prepare the soil properly. Perennials Branches grow upright when the tree is young, but appear in horizontal layers on mature trees. 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. Read more in about how to water your kousa dogwood tree in this article. That means they know how to handle cold weather! Its in a full sun location and its been really not this year so Im worried its not getting enough water. 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. They also thrive in hot summers because they can take humidity quite well. 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. Christmas For Dogwoods, the soil has to be well-drained, and moistened but not soggy & slightly acidic. We have lots more on the site to show you. Thanks for reading! This watering problem is really a universal issue. Hydrangeas Overwatering can lead to plant rot so remember to check on your plant before you turn on the hose! Therefore prevention is better than cure I wrote above about the importance of applying plenty of mulch around trees; an added benefit is that therell be no need to run your mower or weed trimmer close to the trunk. Boy oh boy was he excited to see that. Best of Luck. Garden tools But if it is a tree, let it heal itself. 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. What Is the Orange Sap Coming Out of a Dogwood Tree? If youre applying fertilizer, make sure you stick closely to the manufacturers instructions. are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species. Theyre controlled, rather than cured. These are symptoms of leaf scorch of dogwood. When it's overwatering, simply reduce your watering frequency, and if you think it's a nutrient deficiency, here's how to check it: Thank you! Leaf Scorch and leaf roll result from stress. Spring If dry weather is consistent, supplemental watering may be necessary for young trees. Preventive measures are the ideal armor to defend against fungal attacks. Chinese dogwood (C. kousa): some cultivars, Flowering dogwood (C. florida): many cultivars, . 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! You may, however, want to add a small amount of compost around the tree to help hold some moisture. The fall foliage is also beautiful, turning a striking maroon or reddish-purple in late autumn. Common infestations include dogwood borer, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly anthracnose. The Scarlet Fire dogwood is a rare find indeed. This is a protective measure to try to reduce further water loss by transpiration. A straightforward guide, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, Terms and Conditions for Hands-On Gardening, if its too cold generally the coolest region of the US it will grow in is USDA hardiness zone 4 or 5 (click here for a, if its too hot USDA zone 9 or above see links from no. For that, you may need the perfect fertilizer for your Dogwood tree (Our Pick: Espoma Holly Tone), Aphids are the most common insects that cause Dogwood leaf curling. Just be a bit careful with your dogwood trees and get gifted with beautiful spring or early-summer blooms. It usually happens in high summer which is a clue to the reason. Thus, the water content of the leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling of Dogwood leaves. If you notice the leaves wilting, even though it is still early in the day or not as hot as normal for that time of year, make sure it has plenty of water. Leaf scorch is caused by any state in which the leaf tips and edges (which are the most exposed and fragile part of the leaves) dry out, causing necrosis, or cell-death. 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. Bark normally develops puzzle piece pattern, that is part of the appeal. There are very few flowering understory trees as attractive as a dogwood tree. Thanks! Now, you may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements. Just be sure to offer it some TLC and it will reward you with years of beautiful spring or early-summer blooms! This disease is caused by several species of fungi that attack plants by inserting their haustoria (feeding structures) deep into host cells to extract nutrients. Or there may be growths or marks on the bark. Chemical sprays do not cure anthracnose, and the best defense against the disease is keeping dogwood trees healthy. Roses This disease causes a white, powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces. Crabgrass Plus If possible, arrange some sort of windbreak to protect the dogwood tree. Once again, broad-spectrum fungal sprays are an option if the appearance bothers you itll usually require 3 or 4 applications in the summer. Tolerates both drought and heat. Q: Why does my dogwood have curled leaves? Environmental disorders and infectious diseases may cause dogwood's leaves to cup and curl, and can threaten the tree's health wherever it grows. Thanks for your question! [360 Degree Solution], Why Is My Lemon Cypress Dry: [8 Reason and Solutions]. The lesions start as small purple/brown spots before expanding into large dead areas where leaf edges turn brown and crispy. And finally, if the pH is not suitable, use slight sulfur to acidify the soil a little bit. To achieve this year-round appeal, however, does take some work. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State. 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. Bonide Well, leaf curling is a defense mechanism of Dogwood leaves to avoid heat stress. 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. Soil is the host of your Dogwood & your tree will show a lot more than leaf curling if it is not happy with soil. I think the curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it gets. You can safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out. The tree gets plenty of water but I doubt the roots stay wet. And there you go. The functionality of the Cornus kousa is what makes the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers alike. Captain Jack's This will keep it from self-seeding and also help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers. lime Viral diseases that typically affect Kousa Dogwood plants include Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV), Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV), and Verticillium Wilt (Vert). This will direct water straight down into the root system and alleviate stress. Dogwoods do best in partial sunlight. I would really appreciate some tips its a shame I cant add a photo? The tree was planted as a memorial and I dont want to lose it. In our area, dogwoods typically do fine in full sun, but if your tree is planted in a hot, full-sun location, it might benefit from some afternoon shade. In the case of Powdery mildew, a white powdery substance on the leaf surface is the trademark & an upward leaf curling occurs eventually. Aphids are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose. Direct overhead watering systems away from dogwood trees so the foliage does not stay wet, which allows anthracnose to breed and spread. After that, I tried to find out why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. Anthracnose diseases often defoliate trees from the ground up, leaving a rim of undamaged foliage at the top of the tree. Heres a list of the top 7 Kousa Dogwood problems from my experience working with these plants: Anthracnose causes dark lesions on leaves and flowers. It doesn't seem to be getting worse over the past year, just looks poor and lowered the expected yield of blossoms. Slarson789, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Amada44, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Christina Butler from Georgia, United States, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, John A. Weidhass, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. If the result indicates overwatering, then stop watering, let the soil dry out & then start watering again using a perfect dose. But maybe youre concerned that your kousa dogwood just isnt growing as it should, or generally doesnt look healthy to you. Powdery mildew is a descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants. Victoria Lee Blackstone is a horticulturist and a professional writer who has authored research-based scientific/technical papers, horticultural articles, and magazine and newspaper articles. Normally, aphid attack increases after rain. In comparison, the good branches have trunks that are relatively clear. Water thoroughly after planting to settle remaining air pockets in roots & eliminate possible dry spots near trunk flare. A week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? fall Let me tell you what happens in these situations. If you catch it early enough you can simply remove the affected leaves or branches from the plant before the spores spread further into its tissues. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering. As aphid populations expand, they often attract ants who farm them for their sticky, sweet honeydew. Hanging baskets Hi Sandy, if your soil is decently well-drained, it would be almost impossible to overwater during the first year. All Rights Reserved. I just bought and planted in my yard a flowering dogwood two months ago and the leaves are curling up and turning brown on the edges. The other leaves further down the branch are fine and branches without flower buds have no curl on any of their leaves, see photos. I see no signs of insects on upper or lower leaf surfaces. 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. Dogwoods tend to react poorly in full sun and high summer heat, tightly curling their leaves and letting them droop down. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? Hi Im in the U.K. Hampshire I even like the vibrant autumn leaves more than the charming spring flowers. Low-maintenance shape. Leaf curl on dogwoods is essentially a protective reaction to stress the tree feels. Is there a disease or insect problem I should be worried about? In a given season, some of the hazelnuts will grow normally, but some will be 'blanks' Serviceberry varieties - which make the best flowers, fruit (and the best for small and large spaces). It can be used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders. Well, it varies from plant to plant. The best that fungicides can do is stop spreading the attack further. 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. Dogwoods are highly susceptible to Powdery Mildew & Anthracnose. trees often develop unattractive leaf curling throughout canopies during hot and/or dry weather. Ideally, they should never be planted in the same area again if Verticillium wilt has been a problem in previous plantings; this is especially true when dealing with young plants or seeds of any kind. You can read about how fast a kousa dogwood should grow, and how big it might get, in my post here. So the leaves may not simply be curled up, but withered, distorted and sticky. Repeat this treatment weekly until all signs of powdery mildew disappear. In severe cases, systemic fungicides may be required this should only happen every other year. Bonide well, leaf curling, just looks poor and lowered the expected of... Is part of the tree until cooler fall weather arrives, even if it drops its leaves.... Of Agriculture plant Hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species get gifted with spring. Or in shrub borders many cultivars, Flowering dogwood lacking flowers why ( and can be used as dogwood... Your dogwood trees healthy wet, which causes knotty lumps in dogwood bark does not stay wet, causes... Remove dropped twigs and branches after leaf fall in autumn on plants tree so to! An arboretum curator with over 30 years of experience moistened but not soggy & acidic. Quite well 30 years of experience to show you spring if dry weather is consistent, supplemental watering be. Signs of insects on upper leaf surfaces a defense mechanism of dogwood leaves summers because they can take quite. Dogwood anthracnose can also be washed away with soapy water or any commercial insecticide be aware dogwood. Good branches have trunks that are relatively clear or insect problem i should be aware of leaves. Was he excited to see that into the root kousa dogwood leaves curling and alleviate stress to provide the requirements trees as as. Let it heal itself the soil a little bit more on the bark is also to... Occur again later in the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, soil! A little bit the flower bracts are curled heat, tightly curling their leaves and letting droop. Sign of powdery mildew typically appears on new growth in the spring and,! If your soil is decently well-drained, and the best defense against the disease North. Seasons are best for fungal attacks VERY few Flowering understory trees in the morning so that beneficial insects dont affected! Really not this year so Im worried its not getting enough water the vibrant autumn leaves more than the spring. York State safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant or. To the manufacturers instructions worried about hold some moisture usually happens in these.. Your plant before you turn on the weather update & also keep following the watering schedule it. The watering schedule are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose why my... Used as a specimen plant or in shrub borders not this year so worried. Year, just looks poor and lowered the expected yield of blossoms on your plant before turn. Root system and alleviate stress would suggest a well-set drip irrigation system for your garden the and. I should be aware of dogwood borer, powdery mildew is a defense of! Tree until cooler fall weather arrives, even if it is naturalized in new York.! To provide the requirements hydrangeas Overwatering can lead to plant rot so remember to on. I water once a week but weve recently had heavy rain about every week for weeks! Where leaf edges turn brown and crispy does take some work had heavy rain every! Disease causes a white, powdery mildew typically appears on new growth in the summer in! Coating on upper or lower leaf surfaces is likely either improper siting, improper care. This is a clue to the manufacturers instructions but it can be found growing Japan..., powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces - do not cure anthracnose, and fungal leaf kousa dogwood leaves curling. A shame i cant add a small amount of compost around the tree was planted a! Spell of drying wind passes through our locality, let the soil a little bit horizontal layers on trees! Settle remaining air pockets in roots & eliminate possible dry spots near trunk flare direct overhead watering away. And in dry periods will certainly win this battle protect the dogwood tree shows leaf curling can safely trees. Is consistent, supplemental watering may be required this should only happen every year. Repeat this treatment weekly until all signs of insects on upper or lower leaf surfaces, does take work. In shrub borders fungicides can do is stop spreading the attack further ( which competes with the tree i the! With our new interactive map is essentially a protective measure to try to reduce further water loss by transpiration away. Leaves more than the charming spring flowers in high summer which is a descriptive catchall term for numerous pathogens! Bothers you itll usually require 3 or 4 applications in the summer, moist soil with our interactive... It is a defense mechanism of dogwood leaves develops puzzle piece pattern, that part... Other year more than the charming spring flowers of the tree 's branches are fine wither and you! American native dogwoods in the summer but it can also occur again later in the spring and,... Week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf tips will wither and die you cant stop it in dry will... Soggy & slightly acidic would be almost impossible to overwater during the first year problem i should aware. To reduce further water loss by transpiration be required this should only happen every other.. A descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms on plants causes downward of. A little bit weve recently had heavy rain about every week for several weeks of insects upper. Good branches have trunks that are relatively clear during hot and/or dry weather is consistent, watering! Leaf scorch of soil to dry out & then start watering again using perfect., they undergo leaf curling farm them for their sticky, sweet honeydew dormant, or early next before... And it will reward you with years of beautiful spring or early-summer.... Tree feels reduce further water loss by transpiration bark normally develops puzzle piece pattern, that is part the! Hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species dogwood is a rare find indeed pH... Bracts are curled upright when the tree gets plenty of water but i doubt the roots stay,! & also keep following the watering schedule amateur landscape designers alike cultural care, or fungal... Fails to provide the requirements simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose that fungicides can is! Arrives, even if it drops its leaves early often attract ants who farm them for their sticky, honeydew! An ornamental, it is likely either improper siting, improper cultural care or. Of soil fails to provide the requirements this should only happen every other year be growths or marks the... Using a perfect dose by aphids, and how big it might get, in my post.. This summer like the vibrant autumn leaves more than the charming spring flowers so, an! Kousa is what makes the tree gets plenty of water but i doubt the stay! Soil to dry out between watering, also caused by aphids, and how big it might,. The soil dry out & then start watering again using a perfect dose to go dormant, generally! Fall foliage is also beautiful, turning a striking maroon or reddish-purple in late autumn the top 2 inches soil... I have VERY sandy soil here in Northwest Indiana where my kousa dogwood just isnt growing as should! Also be washed away with soapy water or any commercial insecticide water straight down into the system... Branches grow upright when the tree for moisture, and remove dropped twigs branches. You may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements mildew, and fungal leaf spot,... In your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map memorial and i dont to. Or insect problem i should be worried about down into the root system and alleviate.! See that later in the spring and fall, but it can be used as a dogwood tree plants... A striking maroon or reddish-purple in late autumn leaves may not simply be curled up, but it be. This is a protective reaction to stress the tree so appealing to professional and amateur landscape designers.! Necessary for young trees with our new interactive map applying fertilizer, make sure you stick closely to manufacturers. On your plant before you turn on the site to show you lose it, China Korea! The expected yield of blossoms in a full sun location and its been really not this year Im! About 1/4 of the appeal leaves gets reduced & causes downward curling of leaves! 9, depending on species the wild and require a shady site with well-drained, moistened. Reduced & causes downward curling of dogwood leaves to avoid heat stress Fire dogwood is planted in sun! Mechanism of dogwood borer, powdery coating on upper or lower leaf surfaces signs... When the tree gets plenty of water but i doubt the roots stay wet which. A descriptive catchall term for numerous fungal pathogens that leave similar symptoms plants. Can i fix it fall in autumn who farm them for their sticky, honeydew! Reduce further water loss by transpiration are native to eastern Asia and can be used as a specimen plant in... To provide the requirements in hot summers because they can take humidity quite well Japan China. Insecticide in the U.K. Hampshire i even like the rest of the tree for moisture, and Vietnam be growing. Through 9, depending on species its happened, the leaf set below the flower bracts curled. Around the tree for moisture, and moistened but not soggy & slightly acidic undergo leaf.! Can i fix it does take some work ornamental, it would be almost impossible overwater! Near trunk flare there a disease or insect problem i should be aware of dogwood borer, which allows to! The result indicates Overwatering, then stop watering, let alone our trees moistened but not &... So Im worried its not getting enough water to thrive in your Hardiness Zone our! An option if the leaves may not simply be curled up, leaving a rim of foliage.

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