Old Dogwood No Blooms: Alternate Bearing and Stress Suckers

A venerable native dogwood, once a floral spectacle, produced zero blooms this year after a heavy bloom last year. It also sprouts many epicormic shoots on old branches. The expert explains:

• Alternate bearing: A massive bloom depletes reserves, so the tree “rests” and sets few buds for next year. It will bloom heavily again after this recovery year.
• Epicormic shoots: Triggered by past lightning strike (side flash) and a trunk wound (possible dogwood borer entry). Let shoots grow this year to rebuild energy.
• Borers: Treat trunk with permethrin or bifenthrin spray, or use beneficial nematodes, to prevent dogwood borer infestation.

No expensive arborist needed; monitor and treat borers if needed.