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Kousa dogwood · Cornus kousa

Why does my Kousa dogwood have spots on its leaves?

Seeing spots on your Kousa dogwood is often a sign of a fungal issue like anthracnose or leaf spot. Check the underside of the leaves and the twigs to see if the problem is spreading.

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spots on a plant
Photo: Scot Nelson, CC0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the leaves for purple borders around the spots.
  2. Look for small cankers or dead tissue on the twigs.
  3. Check if the spots are appearing mostly on the lower branches.

Likely causes

  1. Dogwood anthracnose

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see tan or brown spots with purple borders on the leaves. It often spreads to the twigs, causing small cankers.

    What to do: Prune away infected branches during dry weather to stop the spread. Always sterilize your shears with rubbing alcohol between cuts to avoid moving the fungus around.

  2. Fungal leaf spot

    Possible

    How to tell: These are usually smaller, irregular spots that appear after long periods of wet weather. They rarely kill the tree but look unsightly.

    What to do: Rake up and destroy all fallen leaves in the autumn to remove fungal spores. Improve air circulation around the canopy by thinning out crowded branches.

Leaf spots on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your kousa 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.

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When to worry

Worry if you see dieback on the main branches or if the tree loses most of its leaves by midsummer. A few spots here and there are normal in humid years.

Stopping it coming back

Water at the base of the tree rather than overhead to keep the foliage dry. Apply a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool and prevent soil splashing.

Kousa dogwood: spots? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your kousa dogwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

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Questions people ask

Will these spots kill my tree?
Usually no, especially on Kousa dogwoods which are more resistant than native flowering dogwoods. Keep the tree healthy with proper water and it will recover.
Should I use a fungicide?
Fungicides are rarely necessary for home gardens. Good sanitation and pruning are much more effective at managing the problem.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Kousa dogwood

Back to the Kousa dogwood guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.