What's eating my flowering dogwood 'cherokee chief'?

Flowering Dogwood 'Cherokee Chief' is most seriously threatened by the Dogwood Borer, which tunnels into bark and can kill branches. Powdery mildew-weakened trees also attract scale and aphids. Deer browse the low branches in winter. Kousa types show more disease resistance, but Cherokee Chief needs regular monitoring.

Larval tunnels under bark cause branch dieback and girdling; sawdust-like frass at entry wounds Avoid trunk wounds (lawn mowers, weed trimmers); apply permethrin to bark in mid-spring when adults emerge; remove and destroy infested wood

Gray or white encrustations on bark; yellowing leaves and poor vigor Horticultural oil in late winter; systemic insecticide for heavy infestations

Curled, sticky new leaves in spring; honeydew attracts ants and sooty mold Insecticidal soap spray; encourage natural predators like lacewings

Twigs and flower buds browsed in late winter and early spring Deer repellent sprays on buds; tree tubes or cages for young specimens