Is this Cherokee Dogwood dead??

[nellie923]

This dogwood is about 6-7 years old, and has done well until this year. Now, after weeks of 100 plus temps (109 forecast today) the leaves are brown (see photo) but the branches are flexible. I'm hoping it is not dead. Other trees in this loaction are showing signs of early autumn (yellow leaves dropping). Is Dogwood more sensitive to heata? Can it be saved? Thanks.

 

[Chuck]

To know if it is truly dead just scratch the bark down to the cambien layer. If greenish it is still alive, if brown it is dead. It is a bad sign for dried leaves to hang onto the tree, a sign something serious is happening. A dogwood is very heat sensitive and they are primarily an understory tree. They will not grow in this area of Texas because of this. If the tree is not yet truly dead provide a thick layer of mulch out to the dripline and water thouroughly and apply appropriate amounts of a product called SuperThrive. SuperThrive is amazing stuff, is easily found and is not expensive. I have used this product on plants and trees that I was sure was dead and it brought them back. It is well worth a try.

 

[nellie923]

Thanks for the tips. I do have some Superthrive, so I will put it to use. Incidentally, this tree was near a part of my yard where the gas company replaced the gas meter last month. I thought I smelled gas this morning in that part of the yard, but the guy from the gas company could not find a leak. However, I'm wondering if sometimes when the pressure valve releases gas, does that hurt this tree? It does not seem to have any ill effects on other trees and shrubs in that yard. If i can save it, can I move it in the fall to a better spot, or it is too large?

 

[nellie923]

This is a pink dogwood, BTW, and for some reason I thought I read where it could stand more sun. Guess not...

 

[Chuck]

Thanks for the tips. I do have some Superthrive, so I will put it to use. Incidentally, this tree was near a part of my yard where the gas company replaced the gas meter last month. I thought I smelled gas this morning in that part of the yard, but the guy from the gas company could not find a leak. However, I'm wondering if sometimes when the pressure valve releases gas, does that hurt this tree? It does not seem to have any ill effects on other trees and shrubs in that yard. If i can save it, can I move it in the fall to a better spot, or it is too large?

Yes, natural gas is very harmful to tree roots. If the tree has been in that spot for 6 years it is not a good idea to move it. Being in a weakend condition such as it is will probably be very harmful.
Underground natural gas leaks do not directly affect the roots but it does a lot of harm to the soil microbes and other things that allow the tree to absorb water and nutrients.

 

[nellie923]

The gas man could find no leaks, so that is good news, I guess. I'm doing a heavy watering this morning and will add more mulch around the bottom. The bark seems to be green underneath, so we shall see.