Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Cornus midwinter fire

joannaparker1joannaparker1 Posts: 8
in Problem solving
Hello

My new Cornus planted in early spring isn’t looking very healthy.  Lots of the branches seem to be dying back and turning black. It doesn’t have many leaves and some of them are dying off too.  Wondered if anyone else had a similar problem or had any advice?  Thank you.


Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Did you water it all thru that long, cold, dry April?   Shrubs and trees planted in spring need watering all thru their first growing season while they're getting their roots established.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    They are not as tough as most cornus and it may have suffered in the cold. Mine is only just leafing up and it has a lot of damage from the frost. It should recover as the better weather comes.
  • joannaparker1joannaparker1 Posts: 8
    Thank you both.  I think I kept it watered, hopefully it will recover over the next few weeks now it’s getting warmer.  
  • BeefleyBeefley Posts: 52
    Mine looks exactly like that too and it is an established plant.  I think the long cold period earlier this year and very windy weather recently didn't help, plus the squirrels have been having a good old chew on it too.  Hopefully both of ours will recover shortly with a bit of warmer weather on its way!
  • joannaparker1joannaparker1 Posts: 8
    Thank you Beefley, fingers crossed.
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    Mine were like that after the very cold winter, I pruned all the black off to a good bud and mulched heavily with homemade compost. They are now leafing up really well. I found to my loss that mid winter fire are much less tough than other cornus and managed to kill 2 by pruning hard as recommended for other cornus, I only found out later that you have to be much kinder to them
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    What they lack in vigour above ground they make up for in their ability to sucker and spread underground once they do decide they're happy.   Nightmare.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Mine too, think it's the cold. 
  • joannaparker1joannaparker1 Posts: 8
    Thank you all.  I pruned off the dead bits yesterday and hopefully it will spring into life over the next few weeks.  I will let you know,!
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Hope so. Good luck!
Sign In or Register to comment.