Cornus spp.

Sun Scald: Death within the first two years after transplanting is most commonly due to sun scald, lack of soil moisture or careless transfer of trees too large or without adequate root systems. Transplant small trees into partial shade during December of January. Container grown nursery trees are less subject to mortality. Wrap tree trunk loosely with paper. Water and fertilize properly.

Ascochyta Leaf Blight (fungus – Ascochyta cornicola): This fungus produces irregular leafspots varying in size, with gray to tan centers and prominent borders. The leaf may completely collapse, shrivel, and turn black.

Leaf Spot (fungus – Cercospora sp.): Spots of various sizes with dark brown to purplish borders and grayish centers. Not normally serious, but chemical control may be desirable if disease reappears annually.

Botrytis Petal Blight (fungus – Botrytis cinerea): This fungus disease affects foliage and green shoots as well as petals. This is a disease of wet spring weather that often follows frost damage. Bracts or “petals” rot in irregular brown patches. During very wet weather these rotting bracts are covered with a gray-brown, fuzzy mold that produces powdery spores. Spray early when flower buds start to open.

Cotton Root Rot (fungus – Phymatotrichum omnivorum): Dogwood is extremely susceptible to the Cotton Root Rot fungus, but also is not adapted to the root rot areas of Texas.

Crown Gall: (See section on Crown Gall)

Mushroom Root Rot: (See section on Mushroom Root Rot)

Wood Rot: (See section on Wood Rot)