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Is my dogwood shrub dying/dead?

sambrightbartsambrightbart Posts: 4
in Problem solving

Hi all. We have a dogwood shrub in our front yard which was healthy when we moved in two years ago and grew healthy leaves and flowers last year. This year it has barely grown any leaves or new branches; the ones it has grown have not lasted; and I have recently noticed a kind of fungus on the trunk (see pictures). 

I realise now it would have been a good idea to prune it in spring, but I figure that it's not a good idea to do so now in summer…? Do you think there's anything I can do to save it? 

Thanks very much in advance!

imageimageimageimageimage

P.S. Obviously I've also been somewhat remiss in my weeding, but want to know whether it's worth the effort before I get stuck in…

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    The things on the trunk are scale insects and while not usually fatal do weaken a tree.  However, I think the tree is either dead or dying and the best bet would be to remove and replace it.  They live from 20 to 80 years, so it may be near the end of its life.  You could leave it and cut it to the ground in winter.  If the roots are alive it will send up new shoots as do all good dogwoods.  That pale shoot near the base could be one, so you could cut it down now and leave that to see if it grows.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • sambrightbartsambrightbart Posts: 4

    Thank you, Bob!

  • sambrightbartsambrightbart Posts: 4

    Hello again! I have cut down the dogwood shrub to just above where the green shoot was. Those colourful shoots from summer look maroon on the outside now, though the wood inside looks dead like the rest of it. Do you think that's low enough or should I cut it right down to the ground?

    Thanks!

    Sam

  • sambrightbartsambrightbart Posts: 4

    Trying to attach photos but it's not working, hopefully you don't need to see it to be able to judge!

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147

    Try reducing the size of the photos Sam ... there's a glitch on the forum but reducing the size seems to work. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    I've had a look at the original photos, enlarged. The white looks like mould/fungus to me plus holes in what looks like dead wood.

    I would get rid of them and not waste any more time on them. Maybe there's a small piece of live stuff somewhere but it will never be a thing of beauty. 



    In the sticks near Peterborough
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