My Cherokee Dogwood is ADR (ain’t doin’ right)

Question: Hello,
My name is Jodi  and it was suggested I contact you for help with our Cherokee dogwood.   It’s been in the ground here in Sabillasville for over 20 years, and the last few years it just doesn’t seem to be doing well at all.  I took this picture yesterday.  No blooms at all this year or last.  It’s been at least 4-5 years since any real blooms.

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 29, 2024, 10:14 AM EDT
response: Hello Jodi. Unfortunately, the elongated, strappy foliage suggests that the tree has been harmed by accidental herbicide application/s. The most likely culprit would be chemical applications for lawn weeds that either drifted or on a hot day, volatilization (the conversion of a liquid chemical into a vapor, which escapes into the atmosphere). Pesticide/herbicide labels must be followed very carefully. The label is literally the law and lays out all the conditions to be careful of.  Here is our page that explains more:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/herbicide-damage-flowers/ A good page from Indiana Extension: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/pesticide-news/2023-08-28-unintended-herbicide-injury-trees-growing-concern#:~:text=Typical%20injury%20symptoms%20of%20these,twisted%2C%20puckered%2C%20or%20curled.  It is doubtful that the tree can recover normally given how long you have been seeing this. Should you decide to replace, Marylanders Plant Trees is a program that encourages the planting of native trees and offers a $25 off coupon from participating nurseries:  https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/marylandersplanttrees/introduction.aspx The column on the left hand side of the page lists the eligible trees and participating nurseries.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 29, 2024, 1:32 PM EDT
response: Dear Christine,Thank you very much for replying to my email.  This is a real head scratcher because I have never allowed chemicals to be sprayed in the yard, etc.  Is it possible the Canadian fires could be the culprit?  None of my bushes or plants did well last year. This is so distressing, and upsetting.  I love that dogwood.   Is there nothing that can be done?Thank you again.JodiSent from my iPad On May 29, 2024, at 10:14 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 29, 2024, 2:27 PM EDT
response: Hmm.   Definitely not related to the Canadian Wildfires. Do you have neighbors or farmers nearby that spray? If so you could inquire what they use. When did you first notice the problem?  Once herbicides volatilize they can travel far- as in miles under the right conditions. (See this Rutgers University page here: https://plant-pest-advisory.rutgers.edu/10-best-management-practices-to-avoid-herbicide-drift/#:~:text=Depending%20on%20the%20herbicide%2C%20application,characterized%20by%20its%20vapor%20pressure.)  If you can send more photos of the tree, showing the whole thing we will take a look and give you any thoughts. (These can be attached directly to the reply.)  The damage looks like growth-regulator-type herbicide damage. Sometimes plants can grow out of it with time, so don't be in any hurry to remove it.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2024, 9:34 AM EDT
response: Hello again, and sorry for the delay!  Recovering from hip replacement surgery so FINALLY attaching the pictures requested.  We really appreciate this. It seems the leaves are trying to return to some semblance of normal.  My husband said the trees in our area had been sprayed for locusts (not exactly sure when) and being so rural, we have several farms and orchards in a 10 mile radius.  If the pictures need tweaking or you need additional, please don’t hesitate to let me know.  We are keeping good thoughts for our Cherokee.thanks again!Jodi Have a wonderful day!Sent from my iPadOn May 29, 2024, at 2:27 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 10, 2024, 1:50 PM EDT
response: We hope that you are healing well. Now it's my turn to scratch my head.... The trees were sprayed for locusts? (When I was a kid we called cicadas 'locusts', but locusts are actually grasshoppers- and we wouldn't spray for either one.) When was that spray application made and what was the product (and active ingredient) used?   Your new photos show growths on the bark that are called Lichens (and maybe mosses too). Lichens do not harm trees in any way, though they do tend to grow on slow-growing or still things. They are a pretty interesting life form and are signs of good air quality too. Here is our page on them:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lichen-algae-and-moss-trees/ We don't see any normal-looking dogwood leaves in your photos, unfortunately. Are other trees or shrubs in your landscape showing the same type of stretched, strappy, twisted leaves? If the tree has been looking like this for seasons, sadly, it is not likely to improve.  Christine  P.S. Your lilies are beautiful!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2024, 6:14 PM EDT
response: Okay - double checking with my husband:  it was about 2 years ago they sprayed the whole valley here for CICADAS.  The 17-yr emerging ones. This is the first year the leaves have looked this pathetically bad. All of the other plants and flowers look good. (Thanks for the lilies!)  However, last year the butterfly bushes (in particular) were nothing but sad sacks.  Looked like they’d been munched pretty heavily but overall were just blah.  Just the opposite this year.I really thank you tons for all the insight and help.  Most appreciated!Jodi Sent from my iPad On Jun 10, 2024, at 1:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 11, 2024, 8:57 AM EDT
response: Hello Jodi,  That's a shame to hear that there was widespread spraying for harmless cicadas. We can't tell where the herbicide exposure came from, and it's hard to guess what might have been going on with butterfly bush, but if its symptoms return, feel free to send us photos for evaluation. (That said, butterfly bush can be invasive if it's not a seedless variety, so if it does decline again, we recommend replacing it with another species.)  Miri