Problem with Stellar Pink Dogwood

East Hartford, CT

Hello,

About 6 weeks I had a Pink Stellar Dogwood planted in my front yard. I've recently been noticing the leaves aren't looking quite right. Some are turning brown at the tips and curling, not like just normal seasonal color change. I found something quite strange while looking closely at it this morning. These little white things on both the top and underside of a leaf. Please see images. Can anyone please help me identify it this is disease or insects. And how can I treat it?
Thank you in advance, greatly appreciate any info and advice!

Thumbnail by Aken76 Thumbnail by Aken76
Calgary, AB(Zone 3b)

I can't explain the browning tips but the intricate white coating on the leaf is actually the eggs of some insect - there is no reason to assume the presence of the eggs is related to the brown tips.

Unless someone who is knowledgeable about insects identifies the eggs as being those from some harmful insect, you should just let them be and not start spraying around poisons.

Reno, NV(Zone 6b)

Yes, those are insect eggs. I don't know what kind either.

The brown tips could be anything. But maybe the tree is showing stress from the transplant. Was the tree root ball in burlap or a fiber pot that was planted with the tree? It could be the tree isn't getting enough water to break down the burlap or pot.

Dogwoods don't take well to transplanting but it didn't drop dead immediately. The key is the new leaves. What do they look like? I wouldn't worry too much if old leaves are turning brown.

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

I've grown Cornus x rutgersensis 'Stellar Pink' for about twenty years. It is an excellent plant, and doesn't have a disease problems of consequence under normal conditions.

The "...little white things on both the top and underside of a leaf..." are insect eggs. You should post your same images and question over on Bug ID forum to get a positive ID on whether these belong to a beneficial insect or not. If these turn out to belong to a pestiferous insect, then just plucking off the leaves with the eggs (before they hatch) and disposing of them will do the job.

The brownish leaf tips may simply be a response to a dry spell of weather. I would make sure your new plant maintains even soil moisture conditions through the growing season, and you should be just fine.

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

Three-part harmony...

East Hartford, CT

Thank you all for your fast responses. I had the tree delivered and planted by the owner of the nursery I purchased it from. So he made sure the root ball was free of the burlap/metal. And I have been watering it regularly. We have just had a couple heat waves here in the past couple months, so maybe between the transplant and the heat is why the leaves are turning brown Snd shriveling. I just thought that there may be a connection to what you have all identified as insect eggs.
I will post the pics on the bug ID forum as you have recommended.
Again, thanks so much for your responses!

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

Good luck with the ID search. Post your answer back here for all to learn from.

East Hartford, CT

Well, come to find out those are moth eggs. From the bit of research I just did online, sounds like I'd better get rid of that egg coated leaf before they hatch and caterpillars start munching on my tree's leaves!
Once again, thanks everyone for your help!

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