How Long Do Dog Wood Trees live?

Question

does any one know how long a dog wood tree lives? i have a one that i planted in 1987 and it has been doing good for years i love watching bloom in the spring but for some reson this summer most of it is dieing and the branches are drying out at frist i thought it was some thing on my tree so i have been treating it but it still has not got any better please let me know it there is something i can do or is it at its age point

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Answer 1

Dogwood trees have a relatively short life span compared to other novelty trees: http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/plant...

Good Luck,  ;-)

Answer 2

A dogwood tree can live anywhere from 12 to 40 years in the landscape.  I hope, if you planted it correctly, that it will live longer!

If you are experiencing the kind of dieback you describe, it is not likely that the tree is salvageable.  You may wish to replant with another Dogwood, or try a different species of tree that is easier to maintain.  I can't suggest a species without knowing your geographical location, but you may wish to try www.arborday.org for suggestions.

I authored a Tree Care Manual for Dogwoods that you may find quite helpful.  It is a PDF at http://onebark.com/Onebark_Consulting_Ar...

The long-term care of Dogwood trees is not for the novice.  They can be temperamental after planting, and the establishment period can last many, many years.  Even then, they are very sensitive to changing micro-environments such as drought, root damage, soil saturation, or anything that changes within their root zone.

Answer 3

Dogwoods could live to be 60 or 70 years old, providing they stay healthy. I know of some that are probably 40-50 years old now.

Unfortunately, they have many maladies. They suffer from Downy and powdery mildews, which coat the leaves reducing sunlight, slowly choking/starving them to death. Can be sprayed.

They also get borers, an insect which tunnels into the wood, destroying branch after branch, then limb by limb.

They are also prone to cankers, much like a lesion, which the Chinese Dogwood (Kousa) inflicted on them when they were imported many years ago. Not sure there is a cure. Kousa's are resistant.

They are also drought stressed. They have surface / shallow roots, and struggle during droughts.

They are also sun stressed when planted in the sun. They belong in shade. ( Where they also compete with their shade providers for water.)

They are sensitive to root damage. Construction  can be harmful to them, when in the proximity of their root zone.

It is still a wonderful tree, but I use them sparingly.

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