1. Become familiar with diseases and other problems, especially dogwood anthracnose, commonly affecting dogwood.

2. Select healthy trees to plant. Avoid purchasing or moving diseased plants from one area to another. Purchase trees from a reputable, inspected nursery. Avoid transplanting trees from the "wild", especially from mountainous areas; these specimens may be infected with the fatal dogwood anthracnose or other diseases.

3. Select good planting sites to promote vigor and rapid drying of foliage. Avoid sites where prolonged high moisture situations prevail such as streams, lakes, ponds, watercourses.

4. Use proper planting techniques, replanting at the same soil level and preparing a large planting basin.

5. Use a maximum of 3- to 4-inch deep mulch in an approximate 3-foot radius around established trees, ensuring that mulch does not contact the trunk. Avoid using dogwood chips and leaves as mulch, because they may harbor disease organisms.

6. Prune and completely remove or destroy dead wood and leaves yearly. Avoid flush cuts! Prune out epicormic growth (trunk or water sprouts) in late summer.

7. Water weekly in the morning during drought periods. Caution: NO DOT WET FOLIAGE.

8. Fertilize according to need based on soil analysis. Nutritional regimens that affect disease development are now being evaluated.

9. Use proper insecticides/fungicides where and when appropriate and legal. Consult extension personnel for currently labeled pesticides. Fungicides should be applied at budswell (budbreak) and twice thereafter as the leaves are expanding. Liquid soap (e.g. Dawn) greatly enhances wetting properties.

10. Avoid mechanical and chemical injuries to trees, especially lawn mower and string-trimmer wounds at the tree base. Also, manage any insect pest that is problematic.

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