 The mission of the University of Tennessee Dogwood Group is to improve and protect the dogwood tree and its relatives through breeding, research, and public communication. The UT Dogwood Group has initiated a breeding program, with the objective of producing disease-resistant cultivars of flowering dogwood. The focus is on development of new cultivars that are resistant to dogwood anthracnose, powdery mildew, and combined resistance to both diseases. Our first release is Appalachian Spring, which should be available in 2001.
We consider it our duty to educate the public on proper dogwood cultivation and care, as well as potential problems and preventive measures. We work to help nurserymen efficiently grow dogwood trees and control diseases. Through breeding, disease resistance trials, ornamental evaluation, cultivation techniques, stress trials and epidemiological studies, we hope to introduce strong new cultivars of one of Tennessee's favorite trees.
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