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Korean Dogwood Leaf Scorch: Shallow Root Drought Sensitivity

Alfred's Korean dogwood: leaves brown at tips after blooming, progressing up leaf through summer. Not profuse flowering. New growth unaffected.

Korean dogwood leaf scorch

Korean dogwood showing tip burn

Expert Diagnosis

Steve identified classic drought stress on shallow-rooted dogwood. Tip/edge browning = dry/hot/windy conditions.

Management

Supplemental watering if sunny/dry location
Mulch 3 inches max, pulled back from trunk
Conserves soil moisture

Key Insight

Dogwoods' shallow roots make them drought indicators. New growth unaffected because it emerges after spring rains; older leaves show cumulative stress.

Plant Diseases: Dogwood Brown Splotches: Anthracnose or Sun Scorch? Water and Mulch Either Way; Dogwood Anthracnose: Symptoms and Management; Reviving a Stressed Korean Dogwood 'Milky Way' in the Pacific Northwest; Propagating Pink Dogwood: Suckers vs. Cuttings; Growing Dogwood Trees from Seed: Overcoming Dormancy Challenges; Dogwood Tree Not Blooming? Lawn Chemicals May Be the Culprit; Pruning Dogwood for Driveway Visibility; Korean Dogwood Vigorous Shoots: Wait Before Pruning; Dogwood Staking Damage: Wound Healing; Growing a Brown Turkey Fig Over a Pergola in the UK

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