Dogwood Anthracnose Symptoms

• Symptoms of dogwood anthracnose can first be seen in the leaves of the lower crown of the tree. Tan to purple withering on the outside of the leaves grows to the veins and eventually the entire leaf. Cankers or small growths then being to appear on twigs and smaller branches; the branches continue to rot and eventually fall from the tree. As the disease continues to progress, large, brown ellipse-shaped cankers appear on the trunk and larger branches. At this point, the trunk would appear extremely discolored, with white and brown patches throughout the entire trunk of the tree.
  
  

Chemical Treatments

• Application of a chlorothalonil-, myclobutanil-, propiconazole- or mancozeb-based liquid fungicide, sprayed directly onto infected leaves in the spring, has been shown to be effective in controlling the disease on infected trees. Repeat sprays bi-weekly until the infection has subsided. You may additionally need to re-apply your chosen fungicide as weather conditions become more ideal for infection later in the spring.
  
  

Preventative Measures and Other Treatments

• Experts across the board recommend combining chemical treatments with other natural and biological treatments, due in large part to the inherent risks associated with using a chemical fungicide. These measures include planting your dogwood tree in an area where moisture can quickly dry from leaves, avoiding drought stress with regular watering, fertilizing and mulching, or selecting and planting a dogwood cultivar that has a natural resistance to dogwood anthracnose. Shade also plays an important role in protecting your tree from dogwood anthracnose. Dogwoods favor partial shade, so eliminate growth that leaves the tree in complete shade or add your own artificial shading if all parts of the tree are constantly exposed to direct sunlight.
  
  

Other Considerations

• If you do need to use a chemical fungicide to control dogwood anthracnose infection in your dogwood tree, carefully read the label packaging to fully understand the inherent risks beforehand. If you grow your dogwoods in the yard around your house, make sure the fungicide you choose is safe for use around any pets you own. Check with the Environmental Protection Agency and local state government agriculture offices to keep up with any fungicides that may have been recalled as well as any new fungicides that are brought to the market.