I might not plant evergreen dogwoods in sun in a hot climate. Otherwise the soil conditions could be involved. I've seen brown tips on evergreen dogwoods here as well. They are often not the most thrifty and handsome of trees.

Species delimitation within this subgenus is controversial. Over 15 new taxa have been published since the 1950s. This treatment follows Xiang (Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 7(2): 33�"52. 1987), who recognized 13 subspecies among four species, i.e., Cornus capitata, C. hongkongensis, C. kousa, and C. multinervosa. However, a preliminary allozyme investigation by Dudley and Santamour (Phytologia 77: 425�"430. 1995) suggested that C. capitata subsp. capitata is quite divergent from C. capitata subsp. angustata. Thus, in the present treatment, we recognize C. elliptica as a species separate from C. capitata. Further studies are needed to test the various species delimitations in the group

Here is a link that might be useful: 5. Cornus subg. Syncarpea (Nakai) Q. Y. Xiang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 25: 128. 1987.

This post was edited by bboy on Thu, May 9, 13 at 0:13

In case you didn't get the point of the botanical part Flora of China recognizes it as a distinct species Cornus elliptica. If you click on the link there is a key that tells how C. kousa chinensis etc. through to C. elliptica can be told apart, with hyperlinks to the Flora descriptions of each.

bboy,

Thanks much for the insight. I may transplant these to a more shaded area; but space is terribly limited in my yard. Do you think this is leaf scorch or bad soil characteristics?

Also, I'd love to hear a suggestion for specimen trees flanking a sunny front walk? I'd like to stay native if possible.

Thanks,

~ Brice

If you think they might be cooking try moving one or both and seeing if there is an improvement. Is the soil mulched? Hot root zones are a problem for many kinds of trees and shrubs. And C. capitata is said to be characteristic of deep shady ravines in the wild, maybe C. elliptica does not like exposed positions either.

What native tree to plant there could be a good question for somebody from your area, either on this forum or at a local nursery, garden or other horticultural facility.

I found similar looking leaves in another post;

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg0507590829887.html

Someone thought it may be Bacterial Leaf Scorch -- it was a hot summer, particularly for a plant that likes growing up on the edge of ravines....

I'll get a soil sample and perhaps replant it to look for problematic roots if the soil sample checks out. It's still young.

Thanks for the help.

~ Brice