We have a kousa dogwood that is about 8 years old. It is planted in our yard where it gets full sun. The tree is probably about 10-12 feet tall now, so it has grown substantially since planting. I noticed this year as it is starting to leaf out, that one of the longest branches, which comes vertically from the lower trunk to the top of the tree, has a bunch of dead "branchlets" for lack of a better term. I haven't noticed it in previous years, at least to this extent. I know it's a little early in northern CT for full leafing out. I see no damage to bark or evidence of pests. When I snap off one of the tiny branches, it is not green inside.

Here are a couple photos...one of the tree and another of the effected branch.

http://s977.photobucket.com/albums/ae254/dave4242photos/Kousa/

Any help would be greatly appreciated.