Hello, I have planted two of these Red Twig Dogwood shrubs. Red Twig Dogwoods are shrubs that are versatile and multipurpose in a landscaping scheme. What is causing those brown spots, and is there anything I can do about it? Some of the leaves on my new red twig dogwood bush are curling up, and some are turning yellow with small black spots or pinholes. Avoid overhead watering. Here is what my pink dogwood looks like this morning. Click to see full answer. Leaf Scorch A variety of environmental stressors can cause an alarming curl -- known as leaf scorch -- in dogwood leaves. The leaves look rather dull and dark looking. Site Map, Trees, Shrubs, Roses, Vines & Groundcovers. The leaves don't actually drop until autumn, when all other deciduous plants start losing leaves. If your red twig dogwood has Septoria leaf spot the yellow spotted leaves would appear first in the lower portion of the bush. Webinar Dogwood Anthracnose is caused by the fungus officially known as Discula Destructiva, and it might be helpful if I describe some of the symptoms. 1 of the red dogwood trees the leaves are curling and changing color turning dark after the 2nd week, The other dogwood is still greed and not curling. I have several dwarf red twig dogwoods in my yard (planted about 5 years ago), and every year the leaves curl and develop brown spots. Red-osier dogwood is a large erect shrub best suited where the background, such as evergreens, will show off the dark red winter stems. ... My variegated red twig dog woods leaves are very odd shaped and small on some branches, but not all. Leaves will gradually be covered with tiny, irregularly shaped, rust- or deep-colored spots. Some of the leaves on my new red twig dogwood bush are curling up, and some are turning yellow with small black spots or pinholes. There are any number of diseases and pests that can stress your dogwood and cause dogwood leaf drop. To prevent a borer attack, plant your dogwood in shade, not direct sun, and provide adequate irrigation to avoid water stress. Garden Coach on Propagating Red Twig Dogwood From Cuttings. Lower leaves are affected first. Fortunately the strain of this fungus that attacks our dogwoods is not lethal like the one killing the flowering dogwoods of the south. I try to keep it watered but it does dry out quickly. One of the most common reasons for leaf curling on dogwood trees, Discula anthracnose is a fungus infection that can attack your leaves in the early part of the growing season. Discula anthracnose also causes stem cankers, killing shoots and contributing to the decline of the tree. The leaves will resume a more normal apearance once temperatures cool down as we approach fall. Leaves may also have necrotic veins and leaf margins, and large necrotic blotches. Botrytis blight or gray mold Gray mold is a common fungal disease on fading flowers. Light infections are a cosmetic issue only however repeated years of heavy infection can weaken the bush and lower its susceptibility to other diseases and/or winter injury.Here are a couple of links that go into greater detail about soil testing and Septoria leaf spot: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/dont_guess_soil_test_get_your_home_lawn_and_garden_soil_test_kit_... https://www.purduelandscapereport.org/article/septoria-leaf-spot-on-dogwood/http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279363&isprofile=0&basic=Cornus%20sericeaIf you would like to upload photos showing the affected leaves and location of infection on the bush for further diagnosis feel free to do so. jonijumpup, Mich Z5. 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