Dogwood tree suffering decline due to poor soil quality and high pH.The availability and cost of landscape diagnostic services are prohibitive to community members and lead to the loss of valuable landscape features causing stress and financial burden. According to Home Advisor the average cost of Landscape Diagnostic services is $940 per visit.  According to Go Tree Quotes the average cost of an arborist report is $450.  The Extension service provides the public with the service for free and is readily available, often without an appointment.                                                                                                                  

The Bullitt County Extension office provides soil testing services to residents, plant diagnostics and identification and Insect identification all free of cost.  Additionally, this service is supported by research based information and education for our community members on integrated pest management and environmental stewardship best practices.  The Extension Horticulture Program collaborates with community members to develop the best plan of action for them to address their landscape problems.   The program reached over 1500 people last year across many different avenues; in person walk in service, home visits, via phone, zoom, and social media.

Recently a homeowner wrote to report that the advice he was given 2 years previous led to the recovery of his tree.  In 2019 the homeowner contacted the Extension Office concerning a dogwood tree that was declining and wanted advice on how to address the issue.  After some discussin about the particulars of his case he was advised to lower the pH of his soil and to fertilize the tree in the fall of the year.  In August 2021 he wrote to let us know that he had been following the advice as directed and had adjusted his soil pH and fertilized the tree in the fall and that the tree was recovering.  This one homeowner saved hundreds of dollars and his tree by reaching out to Extension and acting on our advice.  The before and after photos of his tree are included.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Dogwood tree 2 years later after following Extension's advice.