Do i need to prune the dead branches?? I have already pruned some of the branches..advise as how to treat this pretty dogwood.....
Look first to the watering program; is the tree getting too much or too little water. Drought stress can cause the branch die-back like you describe.
There are pest and disease conditions possible for dogwood, you may want to contact a certified arborist or your local county/university cooperative extension horticultural advisor.
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/dogwood-diseases-insect-pests/
It is about 4 ft. tall.
Absolutely! Here are some articles that will help you with this:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-transplanting.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/transplanting-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm
Always healthy, always bloomed -- until now. Suburb of Chicago (zip 60118). Very unusual "spring". Early warm, late snow, low temps. Tree now looks dead. A few suckers, dried buds on tips. Scratch bark, green, some brown. Is there hope? Also, lillies of the valley have spread across the planting bed. Could they be attacking root system and strangling tree? Viburnum, arborvitae, lilac in same bed all fine. A lot of established boxwoods, burning bushes, barberrys, Japanese maples took a hit as well in our area.
Kousa dogwoods are not drought tolerant so if you had a dry winter and didn't irrigate, plus the late snow, it may have succumbed. Also, you are on the edge of the hardiness zone.
Check for borer holes. They can cause dieback of the canopy.
Try keeping it watered and add a light general fertilizer and see if that helps.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/crown-canker-on-dogwood.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/common-dogwood-problems.htm
It's about 10 years old, about 20 foot tall, and always bloomed before, once it got established (couple of years) Likes to bloom in later summer & last year frost finally wiped off the remaining flowers on it.
These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-not-flowering.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm
nibbled at it but it seems bitter. /Users/andrewjpitt/Desktop/11be955c-7683-43f0-ab1f-3296d9289730 copy.jpg/Users/andrewjpitt/Desktop/06FAFBDC-7F58-4470-8882-DE3D060831F6 copy.jpg
This is the fruit of a Chinese Dogwood!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm
I just purchased and planted a white kousa dogwood. It just looks like twigs with buds. When should I expect to see some form of life so I know the plant is doing ok? We are in South Jersey near Philly.
The warm weather of spring should cause it to break dormancy. I suspect by now you have seen some growth.
I do see what looks like a mound of soil at the base of the tree. The crown should be at or slightly above the ground level if the soil is clayey. If it was in a container, it should be the same height as it was in the container. No dirt should be higher on the trunk. Also, a ring of 2 to 4 inches of mulch would be beneficial, being careful not to put the mulch right up against the trunk.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-kousa-dogwood-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/how-and-when-to-plant-trees.htm
I planted this tree 15 years ago (it was about 5 feet tall then) in a south-facing alcove of the house. It has appeared to thrive in its location since then, but this Spring I noticed that the top of the central leader is bare. The rest of the tree appears healthy...plenty of blooms this Spring. My irrigation system keeps it appropriately watered. The tree is now about 18 feet wide and perhaps 20 feet tall, partially shaded by a tall River Birch in the morning, full sun in early to mid afternoon, and shade from the west two-story wing of house in mid to late afternoon.
Dieback always warrants an investigation. Here are some articles to help you pinpoint the problem:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/common-dogwood-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-leaf-drop.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-blight-control.htm