I've had two Pagodas die in this same location. Someone told me about a canker disease that might of cause this. Do you think the soil has this fungus and would not recommend planting this tree again?
Thanks for the question. I suspect that the canker you are talking about is golden canker. I tends to be rather common in Pagoda Dogwoods. It has been reported that it only infects Pagoda Dogwood. It is entirely possible that spores of this fungus are still found in the area in which you have had two trees die. To be on the safe, if you plant a third tree do so in a location distant (at least 20 to 30 feet) from the site you have been using.
How should I prune a Japanese pagoda dogwood?