This is a dogwood that's been in my yard for five years. This year, the leaves went all brown, and the bottom 2ft of the trunk look damp, with this whitish foam. I'm assuming some sort of parasite, and am willing to spray, but do I spray a fungicide, or a pesticide?

Or do I just cut it down and replace it? I've already taken off some of the lower branches that seemed to be just deadwood. Those will be going in the trash rather than the compost pile, I think.





this is one of the pieces going into the trash bin...you can see the dampness on the bark in this one.



Thanks!

One possibility is a Bacterial wetwood/Slime flux infection.
http://www.missouribotanicalga...

Does it smell like beer or like vinegar?

I didn't try to smell it -- will check when I go back outside. Thanks!

My first thought was possibly Wooly Aphids but I think it looks like some sort of fungus, don't know what to recommend to get rid of it but hopefully someone will pop in with suggestions. It would be a shame if you had to remove the tree.

I don't know what it is but I'm sure interested to find out.

I have been told there is something killing dogwoods, a Master Gardener friend said something. I can't remember if it is a virus or fungus, I will get with her and ask her. ~Jan

thanks! I posted a picture on facebook too, and my friends/family there are saying it's slime flux and the tree is a goner. JUST realized I'm friends with an extension agent on FB -- I'll ask him, too

Check these out Mary

Slime flux:
http://www.missouribotanicalga...

Other diseases:

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

I looked at the slime flux one already.. will check the others