With their numerous species and many different varieties, dogwoods are one of the most popular ornamental trees for the garden. If dead branches are found on the Cornus in the middle of the vegetation phase, it is high time to take action. We'll show you what to do.
What is the reason for the dead branches on the dogwood?
Although the dogwood is resistant to disease, it is possible for shoots, twigs and eventually entire branches to die. The reason for this isAnthracnose, which is colloquially known as leaf brown. The first warning sign is brown leaf tips and leaf spots.
How can I recognize anthracnose?
If you cut back your flower dogwood or other varieties of dogwood in spring, you will usually find dead shoots - no reason to worry.
But if dead branches appear after a rainy summer and die thisNecrosisIf brown leaves are already a sign of damage, quick action is essential. The dogwood affected by anthracnose definitely needs radical pruning. Good to know: Leaf browning is a fungal disease and is caused by the fungus Discula destructiva.
Are the dead branches harmful to the dogwood?
The dead branches arevery harmfulfor the dogwood. If left untreated, fungal infestation always leads todeath of the affected plant. Quick action in the form of radical pruning is very important.
How to remove the dead branches?
Aradical pruningin the fall is the only effective measure to save the infected dogwood from completely dying off.
All dead parts of the plant must be removed be removed. The pruning must go into the he althy wood.
Make sure that you have a sharp cutting tool that is disinfected before pruningIf larger cuts occur during radical pruning, these are best treated with a treated with special wound closure products. Important: He althy dogwoods never need radical pruning!
Do chemical agents help against the dead branches?
Fungicides are ineffective on dead branches due to fungal infection caused by the fungus Discula destructiva. They cannot help save the infested dogwood.
How to prevent dogwood branches from dying?
Since the reason for leaf browning is usually a very rainy, humid summer, there are only a few ways to effectively prevent dead branches. This includes the following care measures:
- Watering only in very dry conditionswhen the root ball is in danger of drying out. Otherwise, dogwoods (exception: young plants in the first few years) do not need to be watered regularly.
- waterloggingdefinitelyavoid.
- Don't fertilize too much and, above all, only use nitrogen-rich fertilizer in very small amounts.
Tip
Other diseases have different harmful symptoms
If branches are dead, the diagnosis of advanced leaf browning is almost certain. Powdery mildew, which is also one of the typical diseases of dogwood, is characterized by a greasy, white coating on the leaves and sometimes on the shoots. Mealybugs can be recognized by the fact that the entire plant is sticky and attracts ants as if by magic.
