Newly Planted Dogwoods with Curling, Dried Leaves: Diagnosis and Rescue

Are Your Red Dogwoods Alive? Quick Test and Recovery Plan

Planted in January, now October with curling, brown-tipped leaves – likely transplant shock compounded by drought stress.

Step 1: Check Viability

Scrape a tiny bark patch on an upper twig:

• Green underneath: Alive – proceed to rescue.
• Brown: Dead at that point. Move down the branch; if all brown to trunk, tree is dead.

Step 2: If Alive – Intensive Care

1. Water deeply: 1 inch every 3 days for 2 weeks (pan-under-sprinkler method), then weekly.
2. Mulch 3 inches: Pine straw or wood chips in a 3-ft ring, not touching trunk.
3. No fertilizer: Stressed roots can't absorb it; wait until spring.
4. Shade if in full sun: Temporary shade cloth reduces transpiration.

Why Dogwoods Struggle

Shallow root systems make them drought-sensitive. January planting in cold, wet soil may have damaged roots. Consistent moisture is the only fix.

If the scratch test shows green, this regimen often pulls them through. If brown throughout – replace in fall with a container-grown tree.