Dogwood look bad after planting

Hello,

I recently purchased a dogwood tree, at the time of purchase it looked great. After about a 2 weeks in the ground it looks terrible? I’ve watered it daily. Does anyone have any ideas for reviving it? Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum @Chicken Breast

What were the roots like, was it pot bound? Are you on acid or alkaline soil? Is it very hot where you are and is it in direct sun? Did you loosen the soil in the planting hole and did you add any feed like blood fish & bone?

 

The roots looked good as far as I could tell. They were holding all the dirt together when I took the tree out. I used a Jobes tree spike when I planted it. I used a potting soil to fill in 2 to 3 inches around the tree. It is in direct sun. Thanks for the response.

 

Move it to shade. You need to do that now as it hasn't had time to put roots in the soil. Dogwood do not grow in sun they are understory plants that grow beneath large trees. Do not give fertilizer (remove the jobes stick) it should only be fertilized in early spring. Do not water daily you will rot the roots. Once a week, if you don't get 1" rain, water deeply.

 

Thanks! The tag said full sun I moved the tree to a shady area and removed the fertilizer.

 

Hello @Chicken Breast - welcome to the forum - good name, very tasty, we had you for dinner yesterday with chips!
It looks like Annie has given some good advice on your new tree, and you did well to move it quickly. Good drainage is especially important as is good air circulation as you need to watch out for fungal infection as well.
I believe it's anthracnose mostly on this cornus (dogwood) to beware of.
The bracts on the tree are lovely and in a cross shape just in time for Easter.

 

Don't worry, the "dog" days of Summer are here. That should fix it

 

Thanks all for your help!

 

Dogwood trees prefer dappled shade and good drainage. In summer heat and drought conditions can stress the young tree. It is especially important for shade throughout the entire day. It is generally a understory tree.

I have several dogwood trees. They are happiest in spring and put on a great show of color with blooms. Once established they are very hardy.
If the trees are in shade and good drainage… my next guess could be ground squirrels, moles, voles… eating at the roots. Even disease .

 

Thanks!