Old Dogwood Suddenly Shedding Green Leaves: Anthracnose

Dogwood Anthracnose: Sudden Summer Leaf Drop After Vigorous Growth

Your 20-foot dogwood, after a spectacular leaf-out following water sprout retention, is now showering bright green leaves. This is dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva), common in cool, moist springs at higher elevations (e.g., N. Alabama).

Management (Cultural + Chemical)

• Sanitation: Prune dead/dying twigs; rake and destroy leaves. Sterilize pruners between cuts.
• Water/fertilize wisely: Drought watering only; no overhead irrigation. Mulch 2–4 inches (off trunk). Fertilize with 10-10-10 at 1 lb/inch trunk diameter—low nitrogen for moderate growth.
• Fungicides (if high risk or confirmed): Myclobutanil (Immunox), propiconazole (Banner), chlorothalonil (Daconil). Start at bud break, continue per label.
• Remove water sprouts on trunk/main limbs—they’re highly susceptible.
• Consider Kousa dogwood for replanting—resistant but not immune.

Trees with extensive twig dieback or trunk cankers should be removed.