I have been having trouble for the first time with my pink Dogwood tree. I've
always had no problem with planting in front of my homes, in fairly all day
sun, during the summer, in well drained soil. They've always come out great.

Now, I've moved to Kansas lately and am having some problems, well one, only
planted one tree, so far, as many ppl here say so many contradictory things
about where to plant. Most have them growing in shadier areas. So I planted
mine, right outside our back window, in full view of office window, to be
able to look at all day while working. J

It did great for about four months, then suddenly started to lose it's
leaves and is now just about dead; still green in some stalks. I've got it
where it gets full afternoon sun, from about noon to 5-6, then shade. I'm
going to move it, before I lose it completely, but thought I'd ask here for
any good info.

Should I place it in more full sun? I did have the area tilled and had a
small amt of sand added, as it's very thick clay here in my area. There are
no other plants nearby, aside from my gorgeous lawn. J At the time it
started to die out we had buckets of rain. I'm thinking it's a drainage
problem. More sand needed? Or just closer to other trees, which is what ppl
here keep saying. But I think they do so well there because of all the roots
from the bigger trees, which will cause better draining soil. We'll be
trimming a lot of trees in the fall/spring, so I don't want to plant too
close to any of them, until we know what we're going to do.

That's one of the things I love about the area we get lots of rain usually
during the night, with the thunder and lightening, (I love this!), then
sunny hot and usually humid days.

So, is there anything I can do with the soil, (am planning today to take
some to the extension office and have it checked, also the areas for
Azaleas, and other parts.) Should I move it to an area that gets more sun,
which is what I did before and they did wonderful, in NJ. Is it the clay
soil? Should I add more sand to the mix, if I move it around to a different
spot?

(To all who are bugged with all the questions, I have a full huge library of
gardening books in the storage locker, but they just happen to be way at the
back and under plenty of other things, like my new lawn mower, seeder,
Weber, you know all the great *summer* stuff? (Gotta get someone to help
rearrange, hub's in a wheelchair and I have really bad bone disease,
especially in knees. So, I'm going to use ya'll for a bit, if that's not a
huge problem. Of course ya'll don't have to help. g)

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. J

Thanks again,

MaryBeth,

Southeastern Kansas

On border of Oklahoma

Zone 7/8