What's eating my red-twig dogwood?

Red-twig dogwood is most seriously threatened by dogwood borer, which tunnels into stressed stems, and by scale insects that colonize the bark. Aphids cluster on new growth in spring, and deer and rabbits browse the vivid stems in winter, when the plant is most visible against snow.

Frass and oozing at entry holes on stems; individual canes die back; tunneling girdles canes and kills them Remove and destroy infested canes at ground level; avoid trunk wounds; apply bark-spray insecticide when adult moths are active in late May–June

Gray or white encrusted bumps along bark; weakened, yellowing foliage and reduced stem colour in winter Apply dormant horticultural oil in late winter; prune out heavily encrusted stems and burn or bag them

Sticky, distorted shoot tips in spring; honeydew causes sooty mold on leaves and stems below colonies Knock off with water jets; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; beneficial insects generally keep populations in check

Clean-cut severed canes at ground level in winter; bark gnawing on remaining stems Wrap base stems with wire mesh guards from autumn through early spring; apply repellent sprays to lower stems