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Something seems to be wrong with my Kousa Dogwood

15 years ago

I just recently planted a kousa dogwood. While it does appear to have buds of some sort, they have been there for weeks without doing a thing. Today a few tiny leaves appear to have emerged, but they look dark brown in color. This doesn't seem to be normal, aren't they supposed to look green to begin with?

Anyone have a clue what's going on with this tree?

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Comments (14)

jean001
15 years ago
Kousas are much later than other dogwoods. Have patience. Mine is at about the same stage as yours.
snasxs
15 years ago
Jean is right.

Kousa blooms very late - way after the flowering dogwoods. In Virginia, we have a large white-flowered tree in front of a company. It blooms into August. This is not an early spring bloomer.
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I have a Kousa Dogwood, planted about 8 years ago at around 5ft tall. It's about 12 feet tall now, with branches that spread out fairly wide. I planted it myself, probably explaining the slow growth rate. My landscaper worked on it a little last year, and the growth seems to have finally gotten going. The white flowers come out at perhaps the in mid-May. This annoyed me at first, because all of the other flowering trees seem to do their thing in April, and the Kousa comes out after the party is already over. It does look nice though. In the summer, it's a cute tree, with nice gentle green leaves. One initially gets the impression that the Fall color will be nothing, when it suddenly turns a deep red. My landscaper just transplanted it to a wider section of my yard where it looks more appropriate. I hope it lives!
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whaas, Honestly it's too early to tell as this is the first growing season. What I can tell you is that it started to bud out and grow, got frozen, but came right back. So it seems to be fairly resistant to late freezes. It did generate growth over the entire plant which would seem to indicate branching, BUT the late freeze could have something to do with that. The leaves to date are smaller than our other Cotinus obovatus, and others I have seen locally. But they are also bluer. Don't know if this will continue, but it is the present state. Growth this year has come in two flushes. The initial flush, and then once the weather turned wetter in late July first half of August, a second flush. It appears to me that growth is very tied to rainfall. More rain equals more growth for American Smoketree from what I have seen. Whats more, then second flush is also the second time the Tulsa Lady flowered. Don't know if this is the norm or a fluke. Also of note, both Smoketrees are planted in a highly competitive weedy environment (I want the competition to keep soil moisture on the low side to promote long term survival), so this will tend to slow growth overall. General observations from local trees, are that American Smoke trees can grow EXCEPTIONALLY FAST. The local Botanical Garden planted one about 2008-9 at about 4' tall in a high draining high organic matter, irrigated location. As of a week ago, that same tree was about 20' tall and 15' wide. It literally had 8'-10' leaders one year, which they then cut back by about half to induce wider sturdier growth. Have seen something similar in another local park, though those trees have not been there as long. IMHO, this species will grow fast and lanky if the growing condition are especially good. Probable an adaptation to this native environment where they are usually located in thin dry soil above bluffs. And since these locations have poor very dry soil, these trees have to grow the maximum amount possible while conditions permit. Therefore I would expect any reasonable gardening environment will induce fast growth. Drainage is key. Without good drainage, they will succumb to root disease. Dave, sorry for the derail. I can't speak for you location, but fall is the best time here. BUT, since others have chimed in that spring is better in the north, I would expect that would be the time for those as well. Another thing to consider, is time vs expense. Black-Eyed Susan's aren't expensive. What's more many times they do not overwinter. Instead coming back from seed the following year. Arktrees
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euglia
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you, I feel a little hopeful now. I did know it bloomed late but I assumed it should have some leaves by now. Is it normal for new leaves to appear brown?
euglia
Original Author
15 years ago
Here are a couple of pictures, do these buds look alive? No sign of green so far.

{{gwi:344910}}

{{gwi:344911}}
arktrees
15 years ago
Buds just look very early to me. In a word 'normal', as long as the stems are still green under the bark.

Arktrees
snasxs
15 years ago
The branches do not look dead at all. I can see vigor dancing right under the bark. It could be the color-hue of your picture.

If you have a chance, read the many Gardenia threads. There is a girl called mersiepoo, she cries, laughs, and talks to her Gardenia. Another poster, Sassi, she peeled open all the buds on her banana plant before it is time for them to open.

It might be wise to ignore your plant.
arktrees
15 years ago
For what it's worth, it's hard to say for sure from the pictures as they are a little on the blurry side (not criticizing, just stating why), but it looks as though there are a goodly number of "flower buds" on the branch tips, and that you will probable get a nice display if you remain patient.

Arktrees
euglia
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the hopeful words. I think I am having a hard time being patient because I've been to several different nurseries now that have leafed out kousa dogwoods. I keep trying to figure out what the buds should be doing.

I should probably try to take some not so blurry pictures tomorrow.
marymd7
15 years ago
It's fine.
euglia
Original Author
15 years ago
Some new pictures of the buds. (still a little blurry)
{{gwi:344912}}

{{gwi:344913}}

Here are some examples of some dead brown leaves that emerged. Anyone know why this would happen?
{{gwi:344914}}

{{gwi:344915}}

Still worried, as everything else is nearly completely leafed out. Does this guy really have time to leaf out and flower?? I did do the scratch test, seems to be all green underneath.
bigdancehawk
15 years ago
The ones in the nurseries were probably shipped in from a warmer part of the country.
zarro
14 years ago
I recently bought one with very little sign of leaf. I am hoping to get blooms this year or never mind, just hoping that it will survive.
dave_in_nc
14 years ago
I've got a kousa that is now about 10 years old, and has NEVER bloomed. I've had some serious talks to it, begged, pleaded, threatened. Last year I beat it with a stick, hoping it would trigger some survival instinct and bloom.

Its nice a green now, and no signs of buds, once again. Very disappointing, but a beautiful tree, about 10' high and 15' across, spreading nicely.

Someone told me it needed another kousa nearby, but how would it know? If they come in male and female, its definitely female because its so obstinate.
zarro
14 years ago
dave, I can't believe your tree didn't bloom yet at 10'...that sucks!!!!

Mines is 6' and in it's first year in my garden, now I'm getting worried that I won't have any flowers or have to wait forever to see one.

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