Question
Dear Jim,  I have two white Dogwoods.  Both are approx. 10" in trunk diameter.  They are slowly dying as some of their limbs die annually.  There are lichens on some of the dead/dying limbs and there are some old open wounds on some of the limbs as well.  Please tell me when is the best time to prune off the dead limbs and how close to the closest living joint should I prune?  Also, is there anything that I should do with regards to the old open wounds on the still-living limbs?  What maintenance fertillize program do you recomend?  Lastly, is there anything specifically that I can do annually to control/kill any diseases that attack them?  Thank you in advance for your continued good help.
Fred
TN.

Answer
Dead branches can be pruned at any time of the year. Live branches should be pruned in the dormant months (Fall until Spring). Prune the branches about 1/4 inch from the main trunk. This will leave a branch collar(cells that will grow and close the wound at a much faster rate than if you cut to the trunk). On large branches cut about 1  foot from the trunk and the cut the 1 foot stub off 1/4 inch from the trunk. This will keep the heavy limb form splitting the bark on the trunk. No need to put any wound dressing on the wounds or other open wounds. The tree will heal over these faster if wound dressing are not used.

Fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Apply just before a rain storm and you will not need to water.

There is not really any fungicide that effects any disease that might effect branches. IF it disease seems to be a leaf problem you can spray a fungicide on the foliage as soon as it has bud break in the early spring but you will need to apply it several time at ten day intervals to insure the spores do not infect the newly formed leaves. One of these diseases is dogwood anthracnose. Several fungicides will control this disease when applied at the proper time and with thorough coverage of leaves and twigs. Banner, Cleary's 3336, Daconil 2787, Fore and Zyban are registered for use by commercial applicators. Homeowners could use a fungicide such as Broad Spectrum Mancozeb Spray, Ortho Multi-Purpose Fungicide, Cooke Daconil, Blackleaf Lawn and Garden Fungicide or Microcop. Sprays should begin at bud break. Follow label directions and precautions. Applications later in the season may be needed if wet weather occurs and there are infected leaves and/or twigs on the trees. These late season sprays will not cure tissues already infected, but are aimed at protecting twigs and buds that will be important for tree growth the following year.