Why is the trunk on my Kousa Dogwood peeling and turning yellow?
Question:
Kousa dogwood trunk has peeling yellow spots and bark. I read that this can happen when temps drop. Should I be concerned about anything else possibly causing this?
Answer:
Jonathan Foster, Home Horticulture Outreach Professional
Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) tends to develop this peeling, patchwork pattern to the bark as it matures–in fact, many homeowners plant it for that reason, as it adds a nice bit of interest to the trunk, especially in winter time. The Missouri Botanical Garden maintains a nice page on the species, including some pictures of the bark that should look familiar to you. If the shrub develops any other symptoms of concern, please get back to us, but for now just enjoy your dogwood as it ages gracefully.