# My f\*\*king dogwood, harbinger of autumn
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 11, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106 "2009-08-11T20:48:14Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2009, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/1 "2009-08-11T20:48:14Z")
Every August the leaves on one branch of my [dogwood tree](http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w113/flamingriver/?action=view¤t=dogwood.jpg) turn red, followed by the rest of the tree . . . the first sign that summer is drawing to a close. I swear, it happens a little earlier each year. I hate it.
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### Author:  [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/2 "2009-08-11T21:12:22Z")
Yay! We’ll start seeing the first leaves turning by August 20ish, and I can’t wait. Down with summer!!
– **gigi** , with no A/C at work
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### Author:  [@Tupug\_Anachi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tupug_Anachi)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/3 "2009-08-11T21:18:38Z")
May I suggest…
some strategical pruning???
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### Author:  [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2009, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/4 "2009-08-11T22:13:57Z")
Whereas here, with spring in the offing, the new buds are all bgeinning to show.
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### Author:  [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/5 "2009-08-12T01:01:18Z")
Early color change in dogwoods can be a symptom of infection by the Phytophthera fungus.
What’s the condition of the bark on the lower part of the trunk?
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### Author:  [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/6 "2009-08-12T01:06:49Z")
The hanging baskets of purple petunias (that are apparently required by law to be hung out front, in the suburbs) are looking shabby no matter how much they’re watered. The burning bushes are starting to turn maroon. Yup, summer’s on its last leg.
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### Author:  [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/7 "2009-08-12T01:58:28Z")
> [@gigi](#):
>
> Yay! We’ll start seeing the first leaves turning by August 20ish, and I can’t wait. Down with summer!!
>
> – **gigi** , with no A/C at work
Absolutely! Send it down here. I’m sick of winter.
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### Author:  [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/8 "2009-08-12T02:26:11Z")
Hooray! I love autumn!!!😃
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### Author:  [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/9 "2009-08-12T06:54:30Z")
I have noticed for the last few mornings swallows starting to congregate on the telephone wires. A sure sign they will be soon off to Africa. There goes another summer.
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### Author:  [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2009, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-f-king-dogwood-harbinger-of-autumn/506106/10 "2009-08-12T09:23:43Z")
Oh, thank GOD! It’s like stepping into a sauna every time you leave the house here. Summer sucks.