Dogwood tree is losing its bark

After I typed the topic subject I didn't intend the pun. Anyway, I am very concerned about my dogwood tree. Licten (sp) is growing on the bark and the bark is peeling away at ground level. It still leafs out and red berrys are growing on a few branches. There are several branches that never produced any leaves at all this year. I'm wondering if it is dying. Is there anything I can do to get it healthy again? It is 28+ years old.

Any advice would be most helpful.
Deborah

A picture would help. Do you know the exact type if dogwood? Lichen is harmless. It needs both a fungus and algae to grow. Peeling bark needs to evaluated. Can you tell to what depth it is peeling? Is wood below the cambium layer exposed? Have there been any sudden changes in the soil or light conditions in which the tree is growing?

I can try to get a pic tomorrow. Yes, wood is exposed at ground level. Can it be covered with something?
There has been no sudden changes in neither the soil or light. I feel my lawn service may have contributed to knicking the bark with the weedeater over the course of two or three years.

My guess is you've probably nailed the cause. Where ever the bark is gone it has lost the cambium layer, cork and secondary pholem. Those are the paths by which the roots move nutrients and water up and down the trunk to the leaves. The tree starves. It may not be salvagable. Keeping grass and weeds away from the base the tree so that lawnmowers and string stimmers dont reach the tree is a good practice. Mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches, BUT keep an inner circle of six inches free of the mulch. Mulch piled up against a tree trunk can also cause bark rot and introduce diseases. If you are truly certain the lawn service is doing this have a word with them. It is unprofessional.

Still could use a picture. Dogwoods also get bark borers and it can't be ruled out.

I'll be sure to get a picture tomorrow. I've been out of town for most of today. I sure wish there is something I can do to save it.

Here's a close up of the bottom of the tree trunk.

And another. I hope someone can tell me how to save this tree!

Only a few branches failed to leaf out this year. Do I need to cut them off?

Yep, lawnmower / weedeater damage. Protect the base of the tree but removing the lawn in a 1m radius round the tree, and replacing it with mulch.

If the damage is all the way round, the tree won't survive.

Resin

I'm reading a book about these trees, oddly enough it's called,"Dogwoods", by Paul Capiello and Don Shadow. The section on insect and disease problems has four paragraphs about this very issue.

"By far the most significant pest of the genus Cornus is the two-legged, Briggs and Stratton-wielding weekend landscape warrior."
It goes on to describe the poor odds these trees face in a lawn environment, and sums up with,"Yes, although one rarely sees this listed in plant pathology text books, the most significant malady of the small tree dogwoods is none other than lawnmower blight."

LOL, I'm laughing while wiping the tears away. I'm going to point this out to my lawn mainte. man. This tree saw the birth of my two sons and I was wanting their children to enjoy it too. I have pictures of this tree with the boys fishing in the background. They are 32 and 26 years old now.

I'll take the grass away and mulch a ring around it. And, make sure the mulch doesn't touch the trunk, right?

Thank you Snapple, Resin and Claypa for your insight to my poor Dogwood. I'll cut those bare limbs off too.

If you're really attached to this particular tree, pick the red berries and plant the seeds. You'll have new babies next spring.

I didn't think of planting the red berries. Will do!

Just make sure to peel off the pulp with your fingernails first.