How to determine if a white dogwood tree is alive or dead

16-05-2022

White dogwood trees are among the most beloved flowering and deciduous trees in the country, and for good reason. Known for their long, graceful branches and showy bracts, white dogwoods are usually planted as specimens or accent trees due to their impressive ornamental value that lasts all four seasons. The US Department of Agriculture groups White Dogwoods, or cornus floridain plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, it ranges throughout the eastern parts of the United States.

In these areas, the climate and environmental conditions change. This means that without proper care, white dogwoods can easily succumb to stress under these outside conditions, which can make them more vulnerable to damage, disease, and pest infestation. If you have a white dogwood tree on your property that appears to be unhealthy, read on to learn how to determine if it is dead or alive.

Common signs of stress

It is important to check your trees regularly for signs of stress. Catching a problem early on can save your trees, but it can also save you from a major hassle. Failure to address tree problems will not only jeopardize safety, but can also lead to costly repairs should a tree fall on a car or home. As for Dogwoods, they are sensitive trees that require special attention in certain circumstances. For example, very careful cutting and weeding should be done near Dogwood trees because they have shallow root systems.

And when it comes to fertilization, they will respond poorly to the slightest miscalculation. Too much fertilizer will cause just as much stress as too little. Low sunlight and poor soil conditions will also put them under stress, causing them to lose health and vigor. Common signs of stress include leaf loss, crown dieback, stunted growth, poor foliage color, and more. Over time, a Dogwood showing these signs of stress will eventually die.

life check

To see if a white dogwood tree is alive or not, you can administer a simple DIY test. The only tool you will need is a small pocket knife. To save time, keep in mind that a dogwood tree that does not grow leaves for the entire growing season is dead. So if you noticed that your white dogwood hasn’t flowered at all and peak growing season for the trees is over, chances are it’s dead. If this is not the case for your white dogwood, continue testing to determine if it is alive or not.

Step 1

Examine the bark of the tree, focusing on the base of the trunk and the base of the largest branches. If the bark is peeling, it could indicate that the tree is diseased or dying. If the bark has loosened or flakes off easily on the thickest part of the branch, the branch is dead, but perhaps not the entire tree. If a ring of bark is missing around the base of the trunk, the entire tree is likely dead.

Step 2

Use your pocket knife to scrape 1 inch of bark from the base of the tree trunk. If the bark is firm and the flesh moist, the tree is alive. If it is dry and brittle, the tree is dead.

Step 3

Take a small twig at its tip and press your fingernail into the meat. If you can penetrate the moist tissue of the twig, it is alive. Bend it in half to see if the twig is flexible and the flesh is green. This is another indication of life. If the twig breaks easily and is dry inside, it is dead.

Professional tree care

If you are uncomfortable or unable to perform this test, contact a reputable local tree care company for professional assistance. They have the proper tools, training, and resources to accurately survey all North American tree species, as well as diagnose, treat, and remove them when necessary.

A dead Dogwood should be removed as soon as possible to prevent dangerous accidents and pest problems. Get a free quote from your tree care specialist to estimate the price of your tree removal service. Just always remember that routine tree care is the first and only step to healthy, happy trees that will stand the test of time!