Be sure to thoroughly coat all of the branches. By now you know that red twig dogwoods are not to be confused with the larger flowering dogwood trees. Bark sloughs off around holes on the trunk or branches. Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from HGIC. In late summer, a brown sawdust-like borer frass (insect waste) may be seen near or below the holes. Maintain a protective covering of fungicide when new growth is present. Leaf scorch can be caused from excess wind in hot weather. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Although dogwoods are well adapted to South Carolina, they can be affected by many pests and diseases. Improve air circulation and sunlight penetration around the tree by removing overhanging branches and crowding vegetation. These plants are not tolerant to long periods of dry soil and they require regular and thorough watering. More information about growing dogwoods is available in HGIC 1010, Dogwood. This may further kill the entire leaf. The dogwood borer is the major pest of dogwood. Dogwood Sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus) The dogwood sawfly is an occasional pest of dogwood. There are different species of this shrub which are all a part of the Cornus genus, but vary from there. The club-gall midge lays eggs on the ends of terminal leaves. It was used both internally and externally for the treatment of pain relief as an analgesic, for fevers, diarrhea, problems with the skin and as a mild stimulant. Both insects are clearly visible on affected leaves, and can cause leaf wilting, yellowing and dieback. Control: Twigs with galls should be cut off and burned before larvae make their exit holes. Apply the oil before new growth begins and again after flowering. Red twig dogwood shrubs are one of the most amazing low maintenance plants known to man. These trees would be facing south but not get a lot of sun due to the overhang of the pine trees. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is generally resistant to dogwood anthracnose and is a better choice for replanting in sites where dogwoods have died from this disease. © 2020 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Most insect damage occurs on the trunk and branches of dogwoods. On severely stressed trees, drying and browning of the areas between the veins and leaf drop can occur. Any ideas as to what it is and how do we get rid of it? Soooo I'll try to explain. Insecticidal soaps and chemicals will also work for aphids, but are not as effective for scale insects. Insecticides & Fungicides to Control Dogwood Insect Pests & Diseases. They feed on sap by piercing the leaf or stem with their mouthparts and sucking. Red twig dogwood is one of those plants where more is better. Powdery Mildew: Erysiphe pulchra (formerly Microsphaera pulchra) is the fungus that attacks leaf surfaces and tender shoots and causes powdery mildew. A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor, It’s Just Business | Letter from the Editor, Natural Stone and Ground Covers Are a Great Combination. There are different cultivars among the species. You should also fertilize dogwood shrubs just once a year. For optimal display, it is advisable to grow them against a wall that receives ample sunlight from the south or west in winter. Prevention & Treatment: Planting resistant species and cultivars is an excellent option for managing this disease in the landscape. It happens when there is poor aeration in between the plants, and most often in shady areas. The borers can become established only if they locate a wound or opening in the bark. Annual pruning is essential to keep the brilliant colors of the twigs. Caution: Pollinating insects, such as honey bees and bumblebees, can be adversely affected by the use of pesticides. These include: chlorothalonil, mancozeb, propiconazole, thiophanate-methyl, or copper fungicides (see Table 1 for specific products). Red twig dogwood shrubs should be planted somewhere in your yard where they can be easily viewed from a window, to take advantage of their status as top-notch specimen plants for winter landscapes. Dogwood borer adult.James Solomon, USDA Forest Service, www.ipmimages.org. Planting Red Twigged Dogwood Under Pine Trees - Can you plant a red twigged dogwood shrub under pine trees? There is a condition for the belief that a red twig dogwood is a good choice for any landscape. Keep the area clean and raked, remove and destroy infected branches and ensure that there is ample sunlight and air circulation around the plant as prevention. Infested young trees can be killed in one to two seasons. Cut out old, weak stems as well as well as those that are damaged, discolored, or growing poorly. The red twig dogwood quickly reaches 15 feet tall and will spread if roots that have traveled too far are not cut back. The best way to propagate red twig dogwoods is by transplanting the suckers, or shoots, that come up around the parent plant. I can't upload a pictures cuz I can't figure out how to unlock access. Thin the canopy to increase air movement. I have a few planted in front of a wind row of Pines on my property and they have done quite well. The will no be rubbed off from the branch. This limits the options for controlling the sawfly to handpicking the larva off the tree and treating the plant with insecticidal soap or systemic insecticides. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. I would increase water and in a few weeks do a test on the branches. Avoid mowing or trimming too close to the tree with powered trimmers as this can cause damage and create an invitation for borers. For more information, contact the Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center. Apply a fungicide during bud break to protect new flowers, twigs, and foliage. This is a fungus that is characterized by its appearance of a powdery looking mildew that is fine in texture and white in color. This vigorous deciduous shrub provides a long season of interest in the garden with its variegated leaves, attractive berries, pretty fall color, and red winter stems. Frequent rains or extended periods of high humidity are needed for disease development. The twig beyond the gall may die. Damage on dogwood (Cornus florida) caused by dogwood club-gall midge.Joey Williamson, ©2013 HGIC, Clemson Extension. Practice cultural techniques to prevent or reduce the incidence of plant diseases, including pre-plant soil improvement, proper plant spacing, crop rotation, applying mulch, applying lime and fertilizer based on soil test results, and avoiding over-head irrigation and frequent watering of established plants. In this case I believe you are describing lenticals. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Branches that snap are likely dead, bending they remain alive. Infected leaves exhibit marginal leaf scorch, dead patches, reddish discoloration, yellowing and premature defoliation. These young shoots already have roots so you can immediately replant and water. Infected branches should be removed and burned to kill larvae before they hatch and spread to … The female moth lays eggs on the bark. This fungus survives from year to year on infected twigs, fruits, and other tissues. The … Basically, you are going to want to thoroughly spray the tree with horticultural oil, being sure to thoroughly coat all branches. Red twig dogwoods can spread between and 12 feet in width with a blooming season from May to June. These shrubs are not near each other. It can also be spread to other dogwoods with a breeze that carries the spores. Do not leave dead leaves attached to the tree. There are two species of Cornus called red twig dogwoods: Tatarian dogwood (C. alba) and Redosier dogwood (C. sericea). The first symptoms that appear in the spring are spots on the leaves and flower bracts. It can be used as an accent, specimen or key plant, and in … Cultural controls should be the first line of defense. 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If insecticides are going to be used, spray when crawlers are observed. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm. The disease-tolerant and resistant varieties include: The worst spot anthracnose has been reported on Cornus florida ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Cherokee Daybreak ‘. Top Questions About Red Twig Dogwood. Apply all chemicals according to directions on the label. Red Twig Dogwoods are shrubs that are versatile and multipurpose in a landscaping scheme. ‘Cherokee Brave’, ‘Springtime’, and ‘Pygmy’ have partial resistance.