Dogwood Tree Leaves Curling

This disease causes a white powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces.

Dogwood tree leaves curling. As the disease progresses the leaves may cup or curl upward. When leaves are falling off dogwood in summer it could mean a serious illness improper siting or cultivation problems. On dogwood trees mycrosphaeria pulchra is the causal pathogen for powdery mildew. Leaf curl on dogwoods is essentially a protective reaction to stress the tree feels.

Affected leaves turn yellow or brown along the edges and curl due to water. Leaves eventually curl and drop. Rather than keep its leaves flat and susceptible to burning in the summer sun dogwoods curl their leaves to minimize leaf surface area and thus minimize any damage they might receive. The first sign of infection can often be seen on the leaves where you might see tan spots that develop purple rims.

There are any number of diseases and pests that can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop. Dogwoods need an acid soil that is rich in humus. Leaf scorch a variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl known as leaf scorch in dogwood leaves. Curled wilted or distorted leaves along with dark or tarlike spots are common symptoms of dogwood anthracnose.

Drought and winter injuries weaken trees and the anthracnose fungus mostly attacks during the cool wet spring and fall weather but it can occur during any season. It is possible that the soil is simply unsuitable for the plant especially when the roots extend beyond the original hole. Usually this is a symptom of water stress either under or overwatering or possibly transplant stress. Grow dogwoods in light shade with shelter from harsh winds.

If you have a dogwood showing significant leaf curl throughout the summer 5 years or longer beyond when you planted it keep these tips in mind. Check twigs branches and trunk for cankers or swollen sunken areas. Leaf scorch affects dogwood when cultural needs are not being met. Ensure your dogwood receives enough moisture.

These are common symptoms for dogwood. It is normal to see leaves falling in autumn but you should not see a dogwood tree dropping leaves in summer. Hot dry and sunny weather burns leaves causing them to turn yellow then brown at the edges. Leaves may also have necrotic veins and leaf margins and large necrotic blotches.

Answer from ngajuly 6 2000. Wilted or curling leaves that may turn brown at the tips or edge a sparse canopy of off color and undersized leaves leaf scorch or yellowing leaves untimely fall color and early leaf drop even if you run a sprinkler in your yard your trees likely need additional water said rick castro of davey s northwest seattle office.