Lost Dog (wood)
or Misssouri Dogwoods “dogged” by failure problems
( or how about this-read it like a news headline)
DOG (WOOD) RATHER DIE THAN BE TAMED!
OR (As I recall a beautiful one in a seemingly wrong place between a Bob Evan restaurant and a Drury Inn)
DOG (wood) GONE GOOD (! Or ? ) Which a question or an exclamation, I can’t decide?
Perhaps then I should go with: Dogwood Dilemma, since I am trying to stress the important connection between site and success. Yet always there to impress and haunt me, is the unexplainable, occasional, thriving, seemingly perfect Flowering Dogwood speciemen in someone’s backwoods or even their front yard! I may as well admit- I have both a headache and the ahhh feeling- oh the wonder of it all!
(Readers -pick your favorite article title and I will amend accordingly!)
Horticulturaly speaking, Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is reported to “do best” in evenly moist but not soggy, slightly acidic soil with morning sun and lightly filtered afternoon shade.
or Misssouri Dogwoods “dogged” by failure problems
( or how about this-read it like a news headline)
DOG (WOOD) RATHER DIE THAN BE TAMED!
OR (As I recall a beautiful one in a seemingly wrong place between a Bob Evan restaurant and a Drury Inn)
DOG (wood) GONE GOOD (! Or ? ) Which a question or an exclamation, I can’t decide?
Perhaps then I should go with: Dogwood Dilemma, since I am trying to stress the important connection between site and success. Yet always there to impress and haunt me, is the unexplainable, occasional, thriving, seemingly perfect Flowering Dogwood speciemen in someone’s backwoods or even their front yard! I may as well admit- I have both a headache and the ahhh feeling- oh the wonder of it all!
(Readers -pick your favorite article title and I will amend accordingly!)
Horticulturaly speaking, Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is reported to “do best” in evenly moist but not soggy, slightly acidic soil with morning sun and lightly filtered afternoon shade.
(However when reading site information to avoid dreaded diseases- full sun is sometimes recommended-humm!)
Either way what is most clear to me is there are some fairly specific needs that need to be met in order to have a successful Flowering Dogwood. I doubt any tree book or professional article would read- “Flowering Dogwood- easy, adaptable to wide range of light, growing conditions and soils- no health or pest problems” at least that that doesn’t seem to be true.
Here is a quick quiz: What do these places have in common?
The compacted subsoil of new construction lots
poorly drained parking lot medians,
polution-filled roadsides
public parks with minimal staff and no way to provide supplemental water in drought periods,
Concrete planting pits, possibly the nightmare of the future!
Boulevards with low obstruction intolerance
Aging alleyways that appear to be nearly abandoned except for the trash can patrol
Wind tunnel walkways located on “inspired” commercial campus,
Air conditioner screening opportunity
In the path of mow and blow crews that lack horticulture concern AND steering abilities
and last but not least a very green “brownfield redevelopment site”
ANSWER: Places Dogwoods have died!
Here is a quick quiz: What do these places have in common?
The compacted subsoil of new construction lots
poorly drained parking lot medians,
polution-filled roadsides
public parks with minimal staff and no way to provide supplemental water in drought periods,
Concrete planting pits, possibly the nightmare of the future!
Boulevards with low obstruction intolerance
Aging alleyways that appear to be nearly abandoned except for the trash can patrol
Wind tunnel walkways located on “inspired” commercial campus,
Air conditioner screening opportunity
In the path of mow and blow crews that lack horticulture concern AND steering abilities
and last but not least a very green “brownfield redevelopment site”
ANSWER: Places Dogwoods have died!
More politly said- The common denominator for these locations is that they are "not suitable"
"promising " or “best ever” Dogwood planting sites!
Here are a few frequently given reasons for “Dogwood failure”(translated means: dead dogwoods)
“planted where exposed to intense heat sources” ie: adjacent to parking lots / air conditioner units etc.
“low salinity tolerance"
“Mechanical damage “(mower or weed trimmer damage on the trunk )
“Construction site/ compressed root zone” ie: roots damage
"Transplant shock" three days, one month, two months, six months etc!
Here is my favorite failure report description that no one should ever want to hear: “Trees appears to be weak. Possibly suffering from multiple diseases including possible Dogwood anthracnose / Scorch. All trees in various stages of complete decline-recommend removal.”(oowch)
I suggest to both homeowners and land managers who have taken a fancy to this beautiful native tree, get to know and appreciate the potential for its loss ( unofficial rumor is that some years in Missouri there has been as high as 50% failure/ loss for first year transplants ) Since hearing this, I always take time to marvel when I see a Cornus florida thriving and in full flower- another ahhhhh!
Recommendations: Request to see your favorite Nursery’s Missouri nursery inspection certificate, Discuss your warranty in detail before purchasing a dogwood tree including replacement policy and seasonal availability. Following your purchase, keep your receipt and make a point of keeping communication lines open with your Nursery Manager. Some problems are not problems at all, a few are correctable and every conversation is a learning opportunity.
Hire only Certified Arborist to care for your trees. Become familiar with the Dogwood’s most common problems and if you decide to go ahead with planting- especially if there is multiple groupings of trees, ask me to help you put together a "care plan" that includes inspecting and logging the “current condition” of the trees- This should be done frequently, even weekly during the peak heat and stress periods.
Final Word: Answer to your questions- Yes I love Dogwoods-Yes I am monitoring and recording several dogwoods currently under my care. Yes I would plant one if I was as confident as possible about placement and all the other issues because –they are the most beautiful wildlife habitat choices in the right place!
Helpful Links:
Common Dogwood questions
More questions and answers
Dogwood Diseases
Dogwood Anthracnose
More about Dogwoods
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