Dogwood Tree Leaf Curling
Caused by the fungus discula destructiva anthracnose thrives in moist shade.
Dogwood tree leaf curling. Vander giessen nursery q a my dogwood has curled leaves what s. A variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl known as leaf scorch in dogwood leaves. The dogwood family is susceptible to a number of leaf diseases including some that show up in foliage discoloring and dropping prematurely from the tree. The bark looks fine and the young branches appear to be a healthy light green near the leaves.
This infection strikes as soon as the flowers and buds open and creates small purple blotches on the faces of the curling leaves. However dogwoods are susceptible to various other diseases and pests that cause leaf wilt. Affected leaves turn yellow or brown along the edges and curl due to water stress. Rather than keep its leaves flat and susceptible to burning in the summer sun dogwoods curl their leaves to minimize leaf surface area and thus minimize any damage they might receive.
Leaf spot and leaf blight are among the. Dogwood diseases insect pests home garden information center. Dogwood anthracnose is the most common disease that affects dogwood trees. Among dogwood species leaf scorch is a common malady that typically attacks trees that are drought stressed or wind or heat damaged.
What s wrong with my. Dogwoods are resistant to verticillium wilt the common leaf wilting culprit in other species of trees. However the leaves are now curling and feel dry to the touch. Leaf curl on dogwoods is essentially a protective reaction to stress the tree feels.
Symptoms begin on leaf borders with purplish blotches that eventually cover the leaf. Although leaf scorch is rarely fatal to a dogwood tree it may weaken it. Drought and winter injuries weaken trees and the anthracnose fungus mostly attacks during the cool wet spring and fall weather but it can occur during any season. It seemed to thrive initially.
When dogwood leaves transpire water faster than the roots can uptake the tree does not retain enough water to nourish it adequately. Hoosier gardener spring weather dogwood diseases insect pests home growing and maintaining healthy dogwoods 5 worst tree diseases in central nj what s wrong with my dogwood chinese kousa dogwood doesn t like. One of the most common reasons for leaf curling on dogwood trees discula anthracnose is a fungus infection that can attack your leaves in the early part of the growing season.