Dogwood trees are known for their beautiful spring blooms in shades of white, pink and red. However, you may notice the leaves on your dogwood tree turning red earlier than they should in the summer or fall.
Red leaves on a dogwood are usually a sign of an underlying disease, pest infestation or environmental stress factor impacting the tree. While it may not kill the dogwood immediately, it weakens the plant and ruins its ornamental value. Therefore, it’s crucial to diagnose and treat the cause of the red leaves quickly to save your dogwood tree.
In this article, we’ll explore the three most common reasons for red dogwood foliage and solutions for fixing the problems
Anthracnose Disease
Anthracnose, a fungal disease that thrives in cool, wet weather, is the main reason why red dogwood leaves fall off before they should. It quickly spreads through water and is very likely to infect other dogwood trees nearby.
Small reddish or purple spots on the edges of leaves are the first sign of anthracnose. Soon the leaves shrivel up and drop off the branches. Also, the flowers and fruits can get sick and fall off early. If the disease isn’t treated, it will spread from the lower branches to the upper ones, and the tree will lose all of its leaves.
Treating Anthracnose
Start treatment at the first sign of infection Here are a few effective solutions
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Remove and destroy affected leaves to prevent spread.
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Apply a copper-based fungicide like Bonide Copper Fungicide before leaves emerge in early spring.
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Add 4 teaspoons of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of oil, and 2 teaspoons of liquid soap to 4 liters of water. Mix them together and spray the dogwood once a week.
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Improve air circulation and light penetration by pruning dense growth.
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Water at the base, not from above, and allow time for leaves to fully dry.
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Choose anthracnose-resistant varieties like Celestial, Ruth Ellen or Stellar Pink.
Dogwood Borer Infestation
Dogwood borers are moth larvae that eat the bark and dig into the trunks of dogwood trees, turning the leaves red before they should. Heavy infestations can kill young trees within a couple seasons.
Look for small holes in the bark with sawdust-like “frass” around them. As the vascular tissues are damaged, leaves start dropping. Eventually the bark peels off as well.
Treating Borer Infestations
Catching borers early is key. Effective remedies include:
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Spraying insecticide like Monterey Garden Insect Spray on trunks to kill larvae.
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Making a homemade insecticidal soap spray to suffocate borers.
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Applying neem oil or horticultural oil sprays to deter egg-laying.
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Removing severely infested branches before spread.
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Avoiding pruning when borers are active in spring/summer.
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Clearing weeds/mulching to eliminate hiding spots.
Dogwood Leaf Scorch
Leaf scorch leads to red, browned leaves with distorted shapes. It’s caused by drought stress, which dogwoods are prone to due to shallow roots.
While not fatal, leaf scorch weakens trees and makes them more vulnerable to deadlier problems. Affected leaves may cling on until fall or drop prematurely.
Fixing Leaf Scorch
Revive moisture-stressed trees by:
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Deep watering 2-3 times per week in droughts/heat waves.
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Applying mulch to prevent evaporation and cool roots.
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Checking soil moisture before watering with a meter.
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Pruning the canopy to improve internal air circulation.
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Planting in part shade locations away from hot afternoon sun.
When to Call an Arborist
If more than 50% of the foliage is damaged or major limbs are dying off, contact a professional arborist. They have specialized tools and treatments to diagnose and manage severe dogwood tree issues.
Catching problems early before widespread damage gives the best chance of saving your ornamental dogwood tree. At the first signs of unusual red leaves, take prompt action using the solutions outlined. With proper care, your dogwood will continue thriving and blooming for years to come.
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