Pest identification
What's eating my common dogwood?
Dogwood borer (Synanthedon scitula)
Signs: Tunneling in stressed bark causes oozing sap, frass, and cane dieback; weakens hedgerow stems over time
Control: Remove infested canes and destroy; maintain plant health with correct moisture and pruning; apply bark spray if borer pressure is high locally
Aphids
Signs: Colonies on new shoots produce distorted, curled leaves and sticky honeydew that supports sooty mold
Control: Tolerate low populations; hose off or apply insecticidal soap if growth is badly distorted
Deer and rabbits
Signs: Browsed shoot tips, stripped bark at ground level, and broken stems when used as hedging
Control: Rabbit-proof wire fencing around young hedges; apply repellent sprays; plant large enough to grow above browse height quickly
Keep common dogwood pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
common dogwood pests — FAQ
What is eating my common dogwood?
Common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a tough hedgerow shrub but can suffer from dogwood borer in stressed plants and scale insect infestations on bark. Aphids and caterpillars of the small eggar moth feed on foliage. Deer and rabbits readily browse young stems, especially when grown as a hedge.
How do I get rid of dogwood borer (synanthedon scitula) on common dogwood?
Tunneling in stressed bark causes oozing sap, frass, and cane dieback; weakens hedgerow stems over time Remove infested canes and destroy; maintain plant health with correct moisture and pruning; apply bark spray if borer pressure is high locally
How do I get rid of aphids on common dogwood?
Colonies on new shoots produce distorted, curled leaves and sticky honeydew that supports sooty mold Tolerate low populations; hose off or apply insecticidal soap if growth is badly distorted
How do I get rid of deer and rabbits on common dogwood?
Browsed shoot tips, stripped bark at ground level, and broken stems when used as hedging Rabbit-proof wire fencing around young hedges; apply repellent sprays; plant large enough to grow above browse height quickly