Is it normal for my dogwood to drop leaves in July?

No, that is usually a sign of heat or water stress. Ensure you are watering deeply during dry spells.

Will my tree die if it loses its leaves early?

Not necessarily, but it weakens the tree for next year. Address the underlying cause immediately to help it recover.

Flowering dogwood: leaf drop, causes and fixes

Check these first

Feel the soil 3 inches down to see if it is bone dry or soggy.
Inspect the leaves for dark spots or fungal growth.
Check the base of the trunk for damage or mulch buildup.

Likely causes

Drought stress
Most likely
How to tell: Leaves may curl, turn brown at the edges, and fall off prematurely during hot, dry summer months.
What to do: Water the tree deeply once every 7 to 14 days during dry spells. Apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the base to help retain moisture in the soil.
Dogwood anthracnose
Possible
How to tell: You will see leaf spots and twig dieback that eventually lead to premature leaf drop. Look for dark, sunken lesions on the branches.
What to do: Prune out and destroy any infected twigs or branches during dry weather. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage as dry as possible.

Find out what's wrong with your flowering dogwood

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

It is normal for a few leaves to drop in late autumn as the tree prepares for winter. Be concerned if the tree loses a significant amount of foliage in midsummer.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the tree well watered during dry periods and ensure it has good air circulation to prevent fungal growth.

Keep your flowering dogwood healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Is it normal for my dogwood to drop leaves in July?: No, that is usually a sign of heat or water stress. Ensure you are watering deeply during dry spells.
Will my tree die if it loses its leaves early?: Not necessarily, but it weakens the tree for next year. Address the underlying cause immediately to help it recover.

Why is my flowering dogwood losing its leaves?