Question
I live in Maryland just outside DC and have a well-established Dogwood that has large leaves and full foliage on all the lower branches but has much smaller leaves on all the higher branches.  The difference in the leaf size is substantial.  I have carefully inspected the leaves from the lower and upper branches and other than the size they both appear healthy, with no obvious signs of disease or insect damage.   The lower branches also seem to be producing an unusually high number of 搒mall new branches?   For background, two years ago several other trees (pines) that blocked nearly all direct sunlight to the dogwood were removed and now the tree is subject to direct sun for a good part of the day. The dogwood initially (all last year and this years flowering in spring) seemed to thrive with new growth and reasonable dense foliage. I am aware that the dogwood likes shade, and wondered if that could be the issue of if I may be over looking a more serious hidden issue?

Rod


Answer
Rod,

It sounds like there is something girdling the tree somewhere along the trunk. The difference in the growth rate is due to restricted flow of water and nutrients to the upper extremeties of the tree.

Try to locate the cause of the restriction, and if possible, remove it. Fertilization is recommended for the tree to help replace the nutrients that aren't being produced by the upper limbs.

Good luck,
Ed Gulliksen