Wow. Do you fertilize this plant regularly?

Dan

The ants are a symptom of a problem not the problem. Find out what is wrong with your dogwood and fix that, if possible, and the ants will go away.

It looks like the ants are tending something -- those small reddish spots. Are those insects or what?

I thought the red was part of the ants. Maybe a better pic is in order.

Dan

It just got planted last year. We fertilize rarely. The red things are the heads of the ants. They have a black body and red head. I'll try a better picture.

Well, if you just planted it this year, where did you get it?

If you purchased it, do you have a receipt? If so, I'd call to ask about their return policy -- unless, of course, that wound occurred after the purchase.