Peeling bark on dogwood

Question: I have a 25 year old dogwood whose bark is peeling and branches are dying. There is still green leaves and new growth on the tree. Can it be saved?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 23, 2023, 11:42 AM EDT
response: Hello Lisa Sorry to hear about the problem with your dogwood. It's a little difficult to tell from the photos but it looks like Twig and Branch Canker.  Symptoms: sunken discolored areas on twigs and small branches. These cankers are caused by fungal pathogens (Botryosphaeria sp. and Diplodia sp.) and are rarely serious but can lead to limb dieback. The fungus Botryosphaeria appears to be more severe on pink flowering cultivars. Healthy plants are less susceptible to these diseases. Water during droughts and avoid over-fertilization to prevent excessive succulent growth. There are no effective chemical controls for this disease once diagnosed, so prune out infected branches promptly. If that doesn't sound right, let us know and we can look further into it. I'll also include the website that this is from, it may be more helpful to see if any of these look more like the problem.  Key to Common Problems of Dogwoods | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu) Let us know if we can help you with anything else. Gary MGV

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 23, 2023, 1:06 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response. Would it be too much stress if I reshaped the entire tree now? Once I remove the dead branches, should I fertilize?   A garden center told me to use holly tone and it’s 3 cups for every inch of the trees’s diameter. Since there are several branches and not on trunk, they told me to add up all the diameters. They also told me it would be more effective to not put the holly tone directly under the tree trunk but father away so that the roots would be able to absorb it. Is this correct? Thanks again. LisaSent from my iPhone On Jun 23, 2023, at 11:42 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 26, 2023, 11:32 AM EDT
response: Hello. The information you got at the garden center is correct. I would not reshape the entire tree at this time. It is best to just remove the dead branches. Shaping of the tree is best done in late winter when the tree is still dormant. Hope this helps. Regards, George On Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 1:06 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 28, 2023, 12:08 PM EDT
response: There are many things it could be. Our plant expert is out until 7/5 but you can bring an example of a damaged leaf/branch into our office to be examined after the 5th.You can also email us photos of the problem. I have attached a sheet that can help you find a certified arborist if you would like to go that route. Here is some information about things that can kill a dogwood https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-dogwoods, also https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/dogwood-diseases-insect-pests/I hope this helps. Can we add you to our mailing list? We won't bombard you or share your information. We will just keep you informed about the various events we sponsor.Best,Karen RanucciMaster Gardener On Thu, Jun 22, 2023 at 3:15 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:Hi Cornell, Question #0106875 has been assigned to you by SYSTEM (Auto Assignment) Peeling bark on dogwood I have a 25 year old dogwood whose bark is peeling and branches are dying. There is still green leaves and new growth on the tree. Can it be saved? From: Lisa LoffrenoSubmitted: 06/22/2023 3:13 AM To view/respond to the question, please login. Please join the Ask Extension Experts group in Connect Extension. We will use that group to post updates about Ask Extension.This message was sent by Ask Extension. If you need help, please visit https://askhelp.extension.org/.-- Cornell Cooperative Extension| Ulster County Ulster.CCE.Cornell.edu | <personal data hidden> Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram 232 Plaza Road (Hannaford Plaza), Kingston, New York 12401 Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer. Contact the office for accommodation requests and accessibility issues.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2023, 1:42 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response. Where are you located? I may email you the photos. Thanks again for your help. Sent from my iPhone On Jun 28, 2023, at 12:08 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 30, 2023, 10:27 AM EDT
response: Hi Lisa, We are located in the KIngston Plaza Mall on Schenk (off Washington Avenue).PeggyMGVOn Wed, Jun 28, 2023 at 1:42 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 30, 2023, 11:18 AM EDT
response: Thanks. I will have to send photos next week Sent from my iPhone On Jun 30, 2023, at 10:27 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿