Anthracnose on dogwood

There are two distinct anthracnose diseases of dogwood, and the difference is not just academic -- one is primarily cosmetic, the other can kill the tree. Spot anthracnose appears every wet spring and causes small leaf spots that most dogwoods shrug off. Dogwood anthracnose, caused by a different.

—- title: "Anthracnose on dogwood" slug: anthracnose-on-dogwood hub: problems category: "Disease-by-host" description: "Dogwood anthracnose kills branches and can kill the entire tree. Learn to distinguish it from spot anthracnose, understand why stressed trees die faster, and choose resistant species." date: 2026-06-10 updated: 2026-06-10 author: "Thomas A." reading_time: 8 —-

There are two distinct anthracnose diseases of dogwood, and the difference is not just academic — one is primarily cosmetic, the other can kill the tree. Spot anthracnose appears every wet spring and causes small leaf spots that most dogwoods shrug off. Dogwood anthracnose, caused by a different fungus, attacks leaves, twigs, and branches progressively, kills stem tissue over multiple seasons, and has killed large numbers of flowering dogwoods across the eastern US since its appearance in the 1970s.

I don't grow dogwoods at my Long Island property, so this guide draws on University Extension and USDA Forest Service research.

Two anthracnose diseases: know the difference

Spot anthracnose (minor)

Spot anthracnose is caused by Elsinoe corni. Per Clemson HGIC, it produces:

• Small, circular spots 0.1 inch in diameter on leaves and flower bracts
• Tan centers with purple-red margins
• No significant tissue death beyond the spots

Spot anthracnose is cosmetically unpleasant in wet springs but does not kill branches or significantly weaken trees. Most healthy dogwoods tolerate it without treatment.

Dogwood anthracnose (serious)

Dogwood anthracnose is caused by Discula destructiva. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, this disease was first identified in the eastern US in 1978 and has since killed millions of flowering dogwoods, particularly in the Appalachian region and the mid-Atlantic.

Identifying dogwood anthracnose

Per Penn State Extension, Discula destructiva infection produces:

1. Large, irregular leaf spots — tan to brown spots often with purple margins, considerably larger than spot anthracnose lesions, frequently involving the leaf mid-vein
2. Blighted leaves that remain attached — infected leaves turn brown but cling to the tree rather than dropping, a distinctive feature called "flagging"
3. Cankers on twigs and branches — tan to brown cankers with purple-red margins girdle small twigs and branches; infected tissue dies above the canker
4. Epicormic shoots — stressed, infected trees produce numerous water sprouts from the trunk and major branches, a stress response that is itself a sign of serious decline
5. Crown dieback — branches die progressively from the top down in severely affected trees

Per USDA Forest Service, the combination of tan leaf spots, clinging dead leaves, and twig cankers with epicormic sprouting is highly diagnostic for Discula destructiva.

Why some dogwoods die and others survive

Per Penn State Extension, tree stress is the primary determinant of mortality:

• Shade stress — flowering dogwoods are naturally understory trees but perform best and resist anthracnose better when they receive at least a half-day of direct sun. Trees in deep shade have reduced vigor and are more susceptible.
• Site stress — low-elevation, sheltered sites with consistently high humidity and poor air circulation create conditions ideal for fungal spread
• Drought and heat stress — trees weakened by drought, root competition, or compaction are more susceptible to crown dieback once infected
• Wound stress — mechanical injury to roots or trunk allows easier pathogen entry

Per Clemson HGIC, the disease is most severe at elevations below 2,000 feet in the Appalachians, where summer temperatures and humidity both favor the pathogen.

Species susceptibility

Per NC State Extension, susceptibility varies by species:

• Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) — highly susceptible; the primary host of D. destructiva
• Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood) — also susceptible; significant mortality has occurred in the Pacific Northwest
• Cornus kousa (Kousa dogwood) — substantially resistant; rarely killed by D. destructiva
• Cornus kousa × florida hybrids — moderate resistance; considerable variation between cultivars

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, for landscapes in areas where dogwood anthracnose is a persistent problem, Cornus kousa or its hybrids are the practical recommendation over C. florida.

Management

Site selection

Per Penn State Extension, plant dogwoods where they receive direct sun for at least half the day. Avoid low-lying, moist, sheltered spots with poor air circulation. In the mid-Atlantic, planting on the east or northeast side of a structure — morning sun, afternoon shade — is a reasonable compromise.

Reduce tree stress

Per Clemson HGIC, maintain dogwood health by:

• Watering during drought (1 inch per week equivalent)
• Applying 2–3 inches of organic mulch over the root zone to within 6 inches of the trunk base
• Avoiding compaction, root damage, and mower contact with the trunk
• Limiting fertilization to modest applications of balanced fertilizer in early spring; do not over-fertilize

Pruning

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, prune out dead and cankered branches in late winter while the tree is dormant. Make cuts back to healthy wood, removing at least 6 inches below the lowest visible canker. Disinfect tools between cuts with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Pruning improves air circulation and removes inoculum sources.

Fungicides

Per Penn State Extension, fungicide applications can slow the disease's spread on valuable specimen trees when applied preventively. Apply at bud break in spring and repeat at 7–14 day intervals through petal fall. Registered active ingredients include copper fungicides and propiconazole. Fungicides do not cure existing cankers or restore dead tissue — they protect new growth.

Replacement with resistant species

Per NC State Extension, where Discula destructiva is established and a C. florida tree is declining, replacement with C. kousa or a hybrid cultivar is often the most practical long-term solution. C. kousa blooms 2–4 weeks later than C. florida and has a different flower form (pointed, not rounded bracts), but provides similar ornamental value.

Common problems table

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dogwood anthracnose the same disease as anthracnose on tomatoes or sycamore?

Per Penn State Extension, no. Each anthracnose disease involves a host-specific or host-specialized fungal pathogen. Discula destructiva does not infect tomatoes or sycamores, and the sycamore anthracnose fungus does not infect dogwoods.

Why did my healthy-looking dogwood suddenly start dying?

Per Clemson HGIC, dogwood anthracnose typically begins with subtle leaf spotting one or more seasons before visible crown dieback. Trees in high-risk sites (shade, humid hollows) may appear healthy from a distance while branch dieback is building. When the crown becomes visible, the disease has often been active for 2–3 years.

My neighbor has C. kousa dogwood with no problems. Is it truly resistant?

Per NC State Extension, yes — C. kousa shows very low susceptibility to Discula destructiva in field studies. The species is considered a reliable resistant choice in regions where C. florida regularly suffers from anthracnose. It can show spot anthracnose in very wet springs but rarely suffers serious damage.

Can dogwood anthracnose spread to other trees in my yard?

Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, D. destructiva is host-specific to Cornus species. It does not spread to maples, oaks, or other landscape trees. Remove and dispose of infected prunings to reduce spore sources in the area.

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Recommended gear: Best dogwood cultivars (Cornus) — our buyer's guide covering picks for every budget, ranked by Extension publication consensus and personal use.

Sources

1. Penn State Extension — Dogwood Anthracnose
2. Clemson HGIC — Dogwood Diseases and Insect Pests
3. Cornell Cooperative Extension — Tree Disease Management
4. NC State Extension — Dogwood Anthracnose
5. USDA Forest Service — Dogwood Anthracnose