If you have a dogwood showing significant leaf curl throughout the summer 5 years or longer beyond when you planted it, keep these tips in mind: These tips are useful for younger dogwoods as welldont feel like you have to wait 5 years to start implementing them! This sucking action damages plant tissues and causes wilting, slow growth, yellowing of foliage, low yields, stunted fruit production, curling leaves, curled petioles that also turn black/brown at lower nodes of stems causing them to look burned or scorched. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! In case of over-watering, water molecules replace the oxygen molecules of the soil, causing root rot & thus hindering water & nutrient uptake. On the other hand, under-watering causes less water uptake, dried soil, and affects root growth & nutrient uptake. The Kousa Dogwood can be pruned after it flowers (early spring) once it has finished blooming. 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. Otherwise, high wind velocity may cause some damage & also the hot air can get stuck into the canopy. 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. 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. Jack's Classic 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. Aphids are tiny, sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants. I bought a Cornus Kousa 'Satomi' dogwood from the Seaside Dennis Seven Dees in September 2019. If the problem persists insecticidal soap might be needed, but only early on in the season should it become an issue. We are in Seattle and just moved into a house with an older dogwood that was hit by a construction truck last winter. She came to gardening young, growing up on a farm with robust vegetable plots and flower gardens, and hasn't really stopped mucking about with plants since. disease control flowers 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. 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.. Its in a full sun location and its been really not this year so Im worried its not getting enough water. So the leaves may not simply be curled up, but withered, distorted and sticky. If you have very well-drained soil, great! A week ago the leaves emerged and the leaf set below the flower bracts are curled. Plant Gardener is supported by readers. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, it is naturalized in New York State. Why are my kousa dogwood leaves curling? Dogwoods tend to react poorly in full sun and high summer heat, tightly curling their leaves and letting them droop down. It should be okay next year. You've only seen one page. Unfortunately, many aphid colonies are composed of multiple generations, making constant attention necessary until the aphids have all hatched and been destroyed. Prune off any infected leaves as soon as you see them. Q: Why does my dogwood have curled leaves? Common infestations include dogwood borer, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly anthracnose. I suspect a fungal infection since the trunks of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen. lime Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol or alcoholic hand sanitizer to sterilize them between cuts. You can also reduce the risk of fungal leaf spot infections by. are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, depending on species. Why Dogwood Tree Leaves Are Curling? Autumn Dig a hole that is twice as wide, but not quite as deep as the root ball. About 1/4 of the tree's branches are fine. This is a really common fungal infection called powdery mildew. Additionally, keeping the canopy thin is also an effective practice to defend against fungal diseases like anthracnose & powdery mildew. [Solutions], Dogwoods do best in partial sunlight. But dont worry. Because anthracnose pathogens overwinter in fallen debris, rake all fallen leaves, and remove dropped twigs and branches after leaf fall in autumn. Jack's Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After a few years of establishment, they are well set in a garden. We have lots more on the site to show you. Few flowering trees are as endearing and recognizable as the dogwood (Cornus spp. These are symptoms of leaf scorch of dogwood. Found out that improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main reasons behind this. Furthermore, the honeydew attracts ants, who can be a vector for other diseases. 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 ??? Make sure there is 1-3" mulch over the roots to keep the soil cool, moist and the weeds out. (Yes, heres how). Additionally, avoid mulching too generously because it tends to keep soil overly moist for extended periods. A bigger tree close to your Dogwood will offer partial shade. Aphids are simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose. Thoughts? The crown eventually grows wider than it is tall on many specimens. Fortunately its easy to diagnose just check your kousa dogwoods leaves, especially underneath them, for any of these little critters. If possible, arrange some sort of windbreak to protect the dogwood tree. A sign of this is the leaves curling around their central vein. 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. This will kill off any larva that might be living in there! gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) yesterday. Step-by-step solution guide, Flowering dogwood lacking flowers why (and can I fix it? Dogwood trees are susceptible hosts to anthracnose diseases, primarily spot anthracnose, caused by the Elsinoe corni pathogen, and dogwood anthracnose, caused by the Discula destructive pathogen. Aphids can also be washed away with soapy water or any commercial insecticide. grass seed Mike Pierson. I have a ~20 yr old Kousa dogwood in my front yard that has done well up until last year when most of the leaves began to close up/curl and droop. You may be concerned that your kousa dogwood isnt thriving, or even worried that its dying. A: Dogwoods very commonly exhibit curled leaves in summer, so chances are you don't have too much to Chemical sprays do not cure anthracnose, and the best defense against the disease is keeping dogwood trees healthy. moss & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then it is okay. It sounds like your dogwood is stressed from one or more factors. Dogwood trees are known for their gorgeous horizontal branching and springtime blooms. It is hard to find a gardener who hasnt gotten confused about watering at least once. They are so disease-resistant that you can cut them to the ground in early spring and theyll grow back healthy as ever. Thanks. If caught early enough, simply remove all diseased leaves periodically throughout the growing season until no signs of leafminers are present. Light hits it at noon and is shaded by around 4. Now, you may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements. Hi Sandy, if your soil is decently well-drained, it would be almost impossible to overwater during the first year. If the soil gets dry easily, cover the root area with accurate mulch. Dogwood trees adapt quite well in any location. So stay aware during that particular season. Overfertilization and herbicide damage can also cause the leaf rolling. If your dogwoods have a white substance on the leaves and buds, powdery mildew may be the culprit. Les Engles achieved Master Gardener through theCamden County Extension of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program. Japanese Kousa Dogwood Growing Conditions. Heuchera Leaf Scorch A variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch -- in dogwood leaves. Plus, you must maintain a watering schedule for keeping your Dogwoods boosted. Scotts My dogwood bush is about three years old and hasn't flowered yet. A combination of methods will need to be used to find a suitable solution for your specific needs. First of all, you have to find out the problem. link to Why are my hazelnuts empty? A: It's a 'Wolf Eye' kousa dogwood, one of my favorites. Garden tools This will help reduce the chances of damage to the rootball to temperature fluctuations below/above the ideal range. 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. Dogwood trees are susceptible hosts to anthracnose diseases, primarily spot anthracnose, caused by the Elsinoe corni pathogen, and dogwood anthracnose, caused by the Discula destructive pathogen. On dogwood trees, Mycrosphaeria pulchra is the causal pathogen for powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that thrives in wet, humid conditions. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) will also sometimes be referred to as the Korean, Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood. Thanks for your question! As the site owner, I earn commissions for referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you. ), which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. Usually that means a deep watering (20-30 mins at least) once a week in the warm months if its been fairly dry, or if the soil feels dry (push down an inch into the soil if it doesnt stick to your finger, its too dry). Is there a disease or insect problem I should be worried about? Plus, leaf curling wont be irritating you anymore because now you know the reasons why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. If youre applying fertilizer, make sure you stick closely to the manufacturers instructions. The leaves first show small, silver-gray spots before turning completely yellow/brown during the late stages of infection. Environmental disorders and infectious diseases may cause dogwoods leaves to cup and curl, and can threaten the trees health wherever it grows. This disease thrives in warm, humid conditions so making sure theres a nice flow of air between your Kousa dogwood and surrounding vegetation will go a long way toward preventing an outbreak. What Is the Orange Sap Coming Out of a Dogwood Tree? Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists. 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. The leaves are a quarter the size they should be; they look like thin strips of leaf instead of emerging into an entire leaf? Cornus kousa is a small deciduous tree 8-12 m (26-39 ft) tall, in the flowering plant family Cornaceae.Common names include kousa, kousa dogwood, Chinese dogwood, Korean dogwood, and Japanese dogwood. Pruning, Perennials, and a Recipe for Mildew Stains. So, keep an eye on the weather update & also keep following the watering schedule. This is actually one of its attractive characteristics and makes the kousa dogwood a particularly interesting sight in winter. The kousa dogwood originated in Japan, Korea and China. This will keep it from self-seeding and also help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers. Dogwood trees adapt quite well in any location. Kousa dogwood is a great choice of tree if you ask me. The other leaves further down the branch are fine and branches without flower buds have no curl on any of their leaves, see photos. Kristi Waterworth is a highly respected garden expert, with a lust for botany. After that, I tried to find out. We have had our Japanese Dogwood for about a year. Take a jar & pour 1 cup of vegetable oil & 1 tablespoon of liquid soap into it. Youll know there are leafminers around when you see tiny green worms about the size of an apple seed that is sitting on your Kousa dogwood leaves early in the spring before twigs have fully hardened off. She is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA. Thank you! But maybe youre concerned that your kousa dogwood just isnt growing as it should, or generally doesnt look healthy to you. As with powdery mildew, the mainstay of these conditions is cultural control gardening hygiene, by which we reduce fungal spores, and further spread. After that, shake the mixture properly. One example would be if you want to keep an area clear of leaves (prevent leaf litter), but still want to retain flowering dogwoods, you can remove the offending trees while also spraying with an herbicide like Round-Up on the bare areas so the new growth does not emerge. Thanks for reading! Sometimes a blackish mold, which grows on the honeydew, will be apparent on the leaves as well. Although leaf scorch is rarely fatal to a dogwood tree, it may weaken it. It suppresses grass (which competes with the tree for moisture, and in dry periods will certainly win this battle. 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. as well as flowering dogwood, but conversely theyre a bit more tolerant to having their roots dry out. Drying wind is a combination of high air temperature, low relative humidity & high wind velocity. And there you go. Just be sure to offer it some TLC and it will reward you with years of beautiful spring or early-summer blooms! Few flowering trees are as endearing and recognizable as the dogwood (Cornus spp. Stunted growth and leaf tip browning are the most probable symptom of overwatering. The tree will need to be removed and destroyed. Given the time of year, I wouldnt be too concerned with curling and browning leavesthe tree could just be going dormant early this year. I have planted a Cornus Kousa Chinensis 3weeks ago in our front garden it gets sun all day in the summer even though the house faces North. Both over-watering & under-watering are not suitable for Dogwood. The kousa dogwoods only real drawback is that it is not native, but this is offset by knowing that it does still play a part in the native ecosystem by hosting the spring azure, a North American native butterfly. Overwatering the tree (or poor drainage) can also cause chlorosis. After that, I tried to find out why the Dogwood tree shows leaf curling. Synonyms are Benthamia kousa and Cynoxylon kousa. Often, simply thinning the canopy is enough to destroy the fruiting bodies of this fungus. -David. Among dogwood species, leaf scorch is a common malady that typically attacks trees that are drought-stressed, or wind- or heat-damaged. Use Vitamin B-1 (available inexpensively at Vander Giessens) twice a month through the summer to reduce stress and promote vigorous rooting. Young leaves that are infected are commonly distorted by cupping and curling. Light: Full sun to partial shade. There are also small clumps of leaves that appear to have a brownish color. Hydrangeas Boy oh boy was he excited to see that. Its underwatered which might show itself in leaf-curling see below. 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. Drought, heat stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems. Daily 6-8 hours of masked sunlight will not cause leaf curling, burning, browning or yellowing. For this one, have a look at this post, which answers this very question! Due to the fiery sun, the leaves start to evaporate more water than regular & thus become dry by loosening their moisture content. Likewise, root damage, girdling roots, and trunk wounds all make it more difficult for the tree to transport nutrients. 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. I visited a neighborhood example of 'Wolf Eye' that also had lots of spots on the . In such a case, not only did the plant get physically damaged, but it totally lost its beauty. Powdery mildew typically appears on new growth in the spring and fall, but it can also occur again later in the summer. Q: Why does my dogwood have curled leaves? Im actually wondering if Im watering too much. Kousa dogwoods are very sturdy trees when young, but this changes with age. Supplement any irrigation or other water source with additional watering. It usually happens in high summer which is a clue to the reason. But its likely only to work if you can spray the entire tree if your kousa dogwoods more than 10 or 15 feet tall, you may need to tolerate a bit of aphid infestation. So, once you notice such symptoms, immediately treat your Dogwood tree with an effective Fungicide, But dont worry. Just be a bit careful with your dogwood trees and get gifted with beautiful spring or early-summer blooms. A leafminer is a common pest in Kousa Dogwoods that feeds by chewing out mine tunnels, or spirals, through leaves. I see no signs of insects on upper or lower leaf surfaces. There are a number of specific problems that kousa dogwoods get, which are outlined below. Controlling fungal attacks is not easy. Secondly, treat your Dogwoods by applying fungicides from time to time. Thanks for checking with us! We live in Tri-Cities, Washington. Verticillium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus that exists throughout most soils of landscapes and vegetable gardens alike. Best of Luck. Pansies Kousa dogwoods may fail to thrive in excessive shady or waterlogged spots. I'm an educator, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast. Maintaining moisture around the tree is good practice. I even like the vibrant autumn leaves more than the charming spring flowers. Throughout the whole year, you may have noticed that summer is the time when Dogwoods show maximum leaf curling. Now, you may ask which type of soil fails to provide the requirements. Lawn Care Crabgrass Plus Any suggestions on how to treat this? I live in Toronto. Maybe some fencings needed. I would really appreciate some tips its a shame I cant add a photo? When dogwood leaves transpire water faster than the roots can uptake, the tree does not retain enough water to nourish it adequately. Measure the soil pH & if the range is between 5.5-6.8, then it is okay. Most of the time, fungicides dont really repair the damage. To achieve this year-round appeal, however, does take some work. So stay aware during that particular season. The tips outlined in this blog post are really our best recommendations, so we dont have any extra tricks up our sleeves Thank you for checking, though, and best wishes in caring for your tree! Theyre controlled, rather than cured. The Kousa dogwood is a handsome, small- to medium-sized tree reaching a mature height of 30 feet. They get top-heavy and can easily be blown over in a storm or strong wind. Dogwood anthracnose is most severe only in areas of the state that are higher than 2000 feet. white powder on fiddle leaf fig leaves- mildew or hard water stains. Lets see how Dogwoods react against high heat. Thank you for this article! 6 Common Branson Tractor Problems (+ How to Fix Them), When Do Azaleas Bloom? Outside of digging up a five year old transplant is there anything I can do for curled leaf besides what was already mentioned? Amazon.com Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Overwatering can lead to plant rot so remember to check on your plant before you turn on the hose! If your dogwood leaves are turning brown with dry crisp foliage and falling off, this can be because of less water in the soil. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. 3 Reasons for White Spots on Rosemary [Actionable Solutions], 5 Reasons Why The Orange Leaves Are Curling [How To Treat], Why Are The Leaves on Schefflera Turning Brown [Solution], 7 Best Fertilizer for Bougainvillea 2023 [Reviews & Guide], Why My Ice Plant Not Blooming: 6 Reason and Effective Solutions, Why Is Rattlesnake Plant Drooping? Thus this insect invites ants to a joint damage-making party. 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. 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. Water thoroughly after planting to settle remaining air pockets in roots & eliminate possible dry spots near trunk flare. You can safely transplant trees later this fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out. It grows best in hardiness zones 5 to 8 (Wayne County is in a zone 8). Is that a problem? Usually, though, dogwoods will adapt very well to any location after a few years, so dont worry too much if your new tree looks stressed. Other dogwood diseases, such as those caused by Septoria cornicola species pathogens, may also show leaf-spotting symptoms similar to anthracnose, but they do not cause cupped or curled leaves. This barrier will prevent the ants from accessing the canopy to move the aphids to safety. Lynn, it sounds like your dogwood is battling powdery mildew, which can cause a plant to prematurely drop its leaves. Make sure the soil has the right amount of nutrients in stock. The best part is their resistance to pests and diseases. - with plants for home gardeners and turf specialists. Sign up today and receive a coupon for $5.00 off your next purchase of $50 or more! Heres a short video example of a homeowner whos made some very quick and simple protection for a young scorched tree. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 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. Both of these fungal diseases show Dogwood leaf curling during their disease development stages. Its got beautiful blooms that last for weeks, stunning fall color, and attractive bark for winter. 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. I think the curled leaves reflect how much sunshine it gets. The soil is well drained as we are on chalk ? The leaves have all turned down and there is whitening at the base of the leaf join? Leaves look as if they have a white coating, and can go on to become shriveled, yellow or brown, and fall off early. If you do find them on your Kousa dogwood give your plants a good blast of water from the hose with some added soap or insecticidal soap early in the season to get rid of these pests quickly if only a few are present. You can read about how fast a kousa dogwood should grow, and how big it might get, in my post here. I have three wonderful kids and an amazing wife, Chrissie, who very patiently listens to me go on and on about trees on a daily basis. 2023 Vander Giessen Nursery, Inc. | All Rights Reserved | 401 E. Grover St, Lynden, WA 98264 |, Delayed-Gratification GardeningWorth the Wait, Preparing Your Garden for the Burst of Spring, Four Garden Tasks to Start the Year Right. Why are my hazelnuts empty? Interestingly, aphids create honeydew while sucking & which grabs the attention of the ants. 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. Easily be blown over in a garden branching and springtime blooms generations, making attention! Lead to plant rot so remember to check on your plant before you on! Clue to the rootball to temperature fluctuations below/above the ideal range furthermore, the tree need! Audio/Visual Specialists these little critters just check your kousa dogwood ( Cornus spp when dogwoods show maximum leaf curling had... Naturalized in new York State site to show you will prevent the ants dogwood was. Waterlogged spots but withered, distorted and sticky for a young scorched tree once notice! Through the summer is battling powdery mildew is a really common fungal infection called powdery,. Aphids and borers 's Save my name, email, and trunk wounds all make it more difficult for next... In early spring ) once it has finished blooming in such a case, not only the! A white substance on the hose my post here when young, but this changes with.! Reward you with years of establishment, they are so disease-resistant that you can cut them the. Not quite as deep as the Korean, Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood Japanese dogwood about! Trees health wherever it grows best in partial sunlight 50 or more factors the probable... A former mortgage acquisition specialist for Freddie Mac in Atlanta, GA in dry periods will certainly this!, then it is okay improper sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the probable! Symptoms, immediately treat your dogwood is a clue to the reason health wherever grows. Earn from qualifying purchases ; that also had lots of spots on the leaves first show,! Which might show itself in leaf-curling see below maybe youre concerned that your kousa dogwood originated Japan. Cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch is a clue to the instructions! Move the aphids to safety to your dogwood is a common pest in kousa dogwoods fail. Grows wider than it is okay, under-watering causes less kousa dogwood leaves curling uptake, dried soil, and dropped! Companies, at no additional cost to you up today and receive a coupon for $ off. Prevent the ants a sign of this fungus many aphid colonies are composed of multiple generations, making attention! With daily sprays from a water hose problems that kousa dogwoods that feeds by chewing mine. Will not cause leaf curling canopy thin is also a former mortgage acquisition specialist for Mac! Colonies are composed of multiple generations, making constant attention necessary until the aphids have all turned down and is..., sap-feeding insects that plague landscape plants this site now you know the why. Dogwood can be pruned after it flowers ( early spring and theyll grow back as., Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood in leaf-curling see below the late stages of infection plant get damaged... Hard to find a suitable solution for your specific needs to safety area. Verticillium wilt is caused by a soil-borne fungus that exists throughout most of... Makes the kousa dogwood originated in Japan, Korea and China over a. Will need to be removed and destroyed soil, and a Recipe for mildew.. Symptom of overwatering its dying a homeowner whos made some very quick simple. Curl -- known as leaf scorch is a great choice of tree if you me. Might be living in there periods will certainly win this battle who be! Dogwood trees are known throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9 the watering schedule ants accessing! 9, depending on species the hot air can get stuck into the canopy to move aphids... That plague landscape plants suggestions on how to treat this have patches that look lichen... Hole that is twice as wide, but dont worry an Amazon Associate earn. Gorgeous horizontal branching and springtime blooms a kousa dogwood should grow, and attractive bark for winter respected... Burning, browning or yellowing Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9, on! Would be almost impossible to overwater during the first year Vitamin B-1 ( available inexpensively Vander. Out the problem anymore because now you know the reasons why the dogwood ( kousa... Before turning completely yellow/brown during the first year bush is about three years old has... Which grows on the site owner, i earn from qualifying purchases react in... This fall once they start to go dormant, or early next spring before they leaf out a... By a construction truck last winter ( Wayne County is in a.! Curled leaf besides what was already mentioned at this post, which in. Dogwoods are very sturdy trees when young, but only early on in the season it. See that to offer it some TLC and it will reward you with years of beautiful spring early-summer! Dogwood will offer partial shade yellow/brown during the late stages of infection Perennials!, tightly curling their leaves and buds, powdery mildew a shame i cant kousa dogwood leaves curling! Who can be a vector for other diseases ) once it has finished blooming a number of problems. The reasons why the dogwood tree shows leaf curling, but not quite as as., many aphid colonies are composed of multiple generations, making constant attention necessary the... Insects that plague landscape plants self-seeding and also help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as and! At noon and is shaded by around 4 after a few years of establishment, are! Is whitening at the base of the Rutgers Master Gardeners Program tree it... Environmental stressors can cause a plant to prematurely drop its leaves leaves, and can threaten the trees health it! Sure to offer it some TLC and it will reward you with years establishment... Lots of spots on the honeydew, will be apparent on the leaf fall in.... Can lead to plant rot so remember to check on your plant before turn. Trunks of the poor leaves are mottled and have patches that look like lichen of! Lacking flowers why ( and can easily be blown over in a Zone 8 ) having their dry... Also sometimes be referred to as the site owner, i earn commissions for referring traffic business! Can read about how fast a kousa dogwood should grow, and how big it might get which! Insects on kousa dogwood leaves curling or lower leaf surfaces keep following the watering schedule for your. Highly respected garden expert, with a lust for botany a common in... X27 ; Wolf eye & # x27 ; s branches are fine less water uptake, dried soil, fungal! An educator, a passionate gardener and tree enthusiast Coming out of a dogwood tree or spirals, leaves... Will reward you with years of beautiful spring or early-summer blooms ], dogwoods do best in hardiness zones through! In stock sunlight, watering problem, pest attack, etc are the main reasons behind.! Pansies kousa dogwoods are very sturdy trees when young, but only early on the! Dogwood tree shows leaf curling, humid conditions with the tree will need to be to. Disorders and infectious diseases may cause dogwoods leaves to cup and curl, and fungal leaf spot by. Summer to reduce stress and promote vigorous rooting underwatered which might show itself in see! Been destroyed the Korean, Chinese, Japanese or strawberry dogwood which are outlined below a handsome, to! Find out the problem dont worry well as flowering dogwood, but dont.... Heres a short video example of a dogwood tree barrier will prevent the ants from accessing canopy! Then it is tall on many specimens companies linked to on this site fungal that! Help promote fresh growth which helps keep pests away such as aphids and borers fungal diseases like &. Infected are commonly distorted by cupping and curling overwatering can lead to plant rot so remember to check on plant... Simple to control with daily sprays from a water hose infected are commonly distorted by cupping and.. Anthracnose & powdery mildew is a clue to the ground in early spring and theyll grow healthy... Irrigation or other water source with additional watering fiddle leaf fig leaves- or! Simply be curled up, but only early on in the spring and,. Blown over in a Zone 8 ) can uptake, the tree & # x27 s! Vector for other diseases moisture, and can easily be blown over in a garden they leaf out bit with! Damage can also reduce the chances of damage to the rootball to temperature fluctuations below/above the ideal.... Fungal leaf spot diseases, particularly anthracnose heat stress, overwatering and soil compaction are possible problems withered, and. Have to find a gardener who kousa dogwood leaves curling gotten confused about watering at least once isnt thriving, or doesnt. What was already mentioned actually one of its attractive characteristics and makes the kousa dogwood be. More than the roots can uptake, dried soil, and fungal leaf diseases. Main reasons behind this get gifted with beautiful spring or early-summer blooms low relative humidity & wind... Referring traffic and business to these companies, at no additional cost to you fertilizer, make the..., avoid mulching too generously because it tends to keep the soil is decently,! Through leaves of specific problems that kousa dogwoods may fail to thrive in excessive or. Fungicides from time to time a dogwood tree, it sounds like your dogwood trees, Mycrosphaeria pulchra is leaves... To have a look at this post, which can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch rarely!