Saving Young Dogwoods from Borers

Several young dogwoods (7–12 months planted) have borers; two died. You’ve cut out infected areas. Can the rest be saved?

Immediate Treatment

1. Soil-applied imidacloprid (Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control). Drench around each tree. Roots carry it to canopy; borers die when feeding. Works on trees too small to spray trunk effectively.
2. Fertilize: 10-10-10 at 1 lb/inch trunk diameter, scattered, watered in. Reduces stress that attracts borers.
3. Mulch: 3 inches organic, not touching trunk. Conserves moisture.
4. Water: 1 inch weekly (pan under sprinkler) during dry spells.

Preventing Spread

• Borers attack stressed/wounded trees. Keep mowers/string trimmers away from trunks (mulch ring helps).
• Healthy, vigorous dogwoods are rarely attacked.

Prognosis

If treated now and kept healthy, remaining trees can recover. Dogwoods are resilient if root systems establish well.

Bottom Line

Drench with imidacloprid, fertilize, mulch, water. Borers are a symptom of stress—fix the stress, stop the borers.