For general shaping, prune the shrub right after it has finished blooming up to July. Dogwood Borer Insect. As an affiliate and an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. When trimming the dogwood tree to remove dead or diseased parts, you will want to prune in late fall or winter. When you see new growth on your tree, that means that energy from the tree has been directed to those areas with the new growth. How to prune for colourful stems or large foliage. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Once you have located the collars, you will need to make your cut. You do not need to cut flush with the trunk. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, General enquiries Pagoda dogwoods are large shrubs to small trees. How to take dogwood cuttings Take dogwood cuttings in summer so they can root outside in a cold frame and put on enough growth to be planted the following autumn. Crossing branches that rub together can cause insects, like the dogwood borer, to bore inside them. These methods, when applied to trees, are often called coppicing and pollarding, but when applied to small shrubs the term ‘stooling’ is commonly used. This is when the dogwood is completely dormant. Prune and propogate dogwood trees. In addition, a limb that has been severed incorrectly at the collar can cause disease and pests to invade and damage the tree permanently. Prune every stem down to this level - as can be seen in the image above right. You can count on them to bloom every year with several hundred flowers. This hard pruning of the Dogwood removes all of the stems that were the attraction through the previous winter, but do not worry, for where you have carried out the pruning, many more stems will grow from the stumps left behind. However, dogwoods are an adaptable plant and can still grow well in full, direct sunlight. Step 1. Both have the potential to cause the bark of the branches where the cuts are made to tear, so you will want to ensure you avoid this by following our pruning method. However, it is not uncommon for a dogwood tree to need a little TLC to grow bigger and fuller than before. 222879/SC038262, In the second or third spring, cut back to 60-90cm (2-3ft) from the ground for, Pinch or thin out sideshoots to encourage further branching, In subsequent years, cut back annually or every few years to the previous stubs, Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser at 70g per square metre (2 oz per square yard) each spring to support stem and flower growth. These plants are hard pruned for the following effects; Late winter (February) or early spring (March), before the leaves begin to appear on the stems, is traditionally considered the best time to prune. Like many flowering trees and shrubs, the best time to prune a dogwood tree is when the tree is dormant. 020 3176 5800 Once its larvae hatch, they burrow under the bark of the limbs and trunk by working their way into the trees’ open wounds or broken bark. If pruned in summer, plant resources - which, by this time, are predominantly found in the leaves - will be removed, and regrowth will be less strong. Best Time to Prune a Dogwood Tree. These are the months when your dogwood tree is “sleeping” or “dormant”. There are many ways to improve both the health and the shape of a tree. Such plants fall into RHS Pruning group 7. To prune dead limbs or make cuts to the dogwood tree, you will need a good pair of pruners, these tools will cut through the deadwood as well as make cuts in the piece that needs rejuvenating. How to Prune Kousa Dogwood Trees. Insects and oozing sap. Dogwood; American smoke tree; Hawthorn; Japanese tree lilac; Tree Pruning Methods. Why is this? Prune them off where they attach to the base of the trunk with caution. Instead, move out on the branch you are cutting about 1 or 2 inches from the collar of the branch to make your final cut. Their tiny, star-shaped blossoms come later than other dogwoods. the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. The wounds created by pruning cuts provide an entry point for these devastating insects. However, as we mentioned, there are two types of pruning: completely removing dead or diseased limbs to keep the tree healthy or trimming old blooms to promote new growth and flowering. Dogwood trees can be either pink or white, with both adding a beautiful display of color to any architectural landscape. Flowering Cornus (dogwood) trees are grown for their showy coloured bracts in late spring and early summer. Dogwood shrubs, such as red twig dogwoods, are not to be confused with dogwood trees. It is important to prune in the dormant season as the plant resources are largely in the roots and can be used for the required vigorous regrowth. Should one of these be pruned away? … Young plants need to establish for a year or two before you start hard-pruning. In areas where boring insects are a problem, never prune a dogwood tree in spring. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. When to prune a dogwood tree depends on why you are pruning it. Oftentimes, anvil pruners are big enough for the job. Small and late-flowering kousa dogwoods (Cornus kousa) are slow growers, but the results they produce are worth your efforts to grow them. Pagoda dogwood is … In general we can distinguish the following: In cornus trees, pruning of green branches should be carried out at times when the development of the plant is latent (autumn / winter). Cut back the dogwood every other year. Like many flowering trees and shrubs, the best time to prune a dogwood tree is when the tree is dormant. Dogwood trees typically stay small, only growing between 15 and 40 total feet, with small branches and a small trunk. Cut through so that you have made a complete and clean cut to remove the stub. Trimming back the branches of diseased or infested sections of the dogwood tree will help get rid of the limbs that have become sick or infested with insects. Dogwood only flowers on wood that is a year old - the flowers aren't very special to look at, but the bees will be happy. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected Tearing the stub at the branch collar will cause the branch to compartmentalize the wound and likely not mesh with the remainder of the tree, which is the opposite effect you want your pruning to have. If you wait until the buds start to swell, it will be too late, and you’ll end up pruning the buds which means that you will have fewer flowers on your tree next season. You can prune dogwoods with pruning shears that have a wide enough head to cut through the diameter of larger limbs. When to Prune a Dogwood Tree. Once you reach the second or third spring, you can cut back to 60-90cm from the ground if you are pollarding. Always completely remove dead or diseased limbs. These swelled areas are known as the branch collars. They are a delicate vision at twilight in late spring. Two good times to prune a Kousa dogwood are right after its finished blooming in June or toward the end of winter (if you don't mind giving up some of the flowers that year). Avoid cutting the leader, or the vertical stem at the very top of the trunk, on a young tree. Before planting the tree, remove any damaged or dead branches, any branches whose angle with the trunk is less than 45º, and any crossed branches. Yet another threat to your blossoming dogwood tree is the dogwood borer. Copyright © 2020. Because the tree is entering dormancy at this time. However, to allow the maximum time to enjoy colourful stems, shrubby Cornus and willows are now typically pruned from late March to mid-April, just as the new growth is developing. To prune dead limbs or make cuts to the dogwood tree, you will need a good pair of pruners, these tools will cut through the deadwood as well as make cuts in the piece that needs rejuvenating. If it is completely dead, and not so large, using an anvil pruner, you can make one solid cut right after the collar. This varied group of plants give great garden value. Hard pruning is not suitable for younger dogwood trees. The attractive C. kousa is native to Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan.. These are called suckers, and they require removal as they are taking away energy from the tree that could be going to other parts of the tree. Making cuts and snipping off buds in June will promote the most regrowth and rejuvenation for the following season. However, when it comes to dogwood trees—as with many flowering trees—the best time to prune them is during the late fall or the winter. If snipping off old blooms, you should do this in late spring or early summer, no later than June. Trim these in the same manner and the same time of year as you would remove old or dead wood. This can weaken both the branch and the tree, which can require the tree to need severe pruning. Dull pruners or saws can create tears in the branches even as you follow each step of the pruning method. Avoiding pruning to close to the trunk, you don’t want to cut or wound the dogwood trunk. This cut should be made completely through, and you should pull off the branch as soon as it begins to separate from the base. When some shrubs are pruned hard, they regrow vigorously producing more colourful stems that brighten up the garden in winter. Prune when the kousa dogwood is dormant, in late fall or early winter. Additionally, if you cut back in late fall or winter while the tree is dormant will reduce the amount of sap that is produced when the tree is cut. This will promote new growth and direct the energy of the dogwood to make fuller and brighter blooms. To develop this post more clearly, we have divided it into two parts. Pruning a young dogwood helps determine its mature shape. Let’s talk about each type of pruning and when it should be done. Pruning a dogwood tree is not something that needs to happen each year. Dogwoods should be pruned from late fall until late winter. If you don’t have a pair of pruning shears or the tools you do have are not big enough to work their way through bigger limbs, you can use a hand saw to carry out the cutting. Shrubby Cornus alba , C. sericea and C. sanguinea are grown for their vivid winter stem colour, while shrubby C.mas (the cornelian cherry) is grown for its winter flowers and summer fruits. However, pruning a dogwood tree will help the flowers of the tree bloom more abundantly the following season, it will also help to improve air circulation. This causes the energy to go into other surrounding buds to create fuller and more colorful flowers. The mature silky dogwood shrub generally has 4 to 6 heavy canes, and you can prune any one of these canes without damaging its appearance. Choose strong shoots of the current season’s growth and push them into gritty, moist compost. Last, you will need to look at the dogwood tree and find swelled areas on the branches you plan to cut. Prune when the kousa dogwood is dormant, in late fall or early winter. Pruning dogwood trees will produce more flowering blooms in the following year, giving you a fuller and healthier tree in good shape. For example, remove all but one stem from a young tree to give it a single-trunk shape, pruning away any new, low side branches until the main trunk is a few feet tall. You should make this cut about one foot away from the trunk of the tree, and the cut should go about halfway through. You should also look for limbs that are rubbing together. All branch pruning should cut back to the branch collar, or the base of the branch nearest the tree trunk. Pruning a willow can produce vibrant stems that look good in winter. Insects that favor dogwood will have retreated for the season. This page may contain affiliate links. The C. kousa is grown for its flowers in addition to its hardy, dependable nature. Be careful not to damage the bark while you are pruning or doing lawn maintenance. They seldom need pruning, but when the need does arise, correct dogwood tree pruning is important. Defining the right time to prune your dogwood will depend on factors such as pruning type and variety. If you were to cut the entire limb off above the collar without making cuts, it would be so heavy that it would cause the stub of the branch to tear. Make sure that the location you choose for your dogwood tree is well-drained and surrounded by fertile soil. Also, two of the more vertical and main branch structures are rubbing. Besides, using a dull pruner or saw will make the pruning job more difficult. Cutting through the collar will cause the dogwood to become infected and can permanently damage the tree. If so how does one prune so as not to have a flat open cut? Dogwood trees are a flowering tree that blooms in springtime, often coinciding with Easter. The first reason is probably the most important one. If trimming the dogwood tree for rejuvenation and regrowth, you will take your shears to remove the flower buds and make cuts to certain branches of the tree. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity. Is it too late to prune a dogwood tree? Others can also be hard-pruned to create a large-leaved effect. A dogwood grows 1 or 2 feet each year until it's about 25 feet tall. Snipping off old buds on the dogwood tree to promote new growth and flowering should take place during the summer, preferably in June. If the limb is larger than 2″ diameter, you will need to make the first cut on the underside, around 6″ from the trunk to approximately a third of the way through, your next cut should be on the top, about an inch further along than the first, and cut all the way through. Asked April 21, 2016, 10:59 AM EDT . Lower branches need to be pruned to raise the tree and to keep the tree from encroaching on the sidewalk. Doing this will decrease the number of insects that can invade the tree if it were pruned in this manner during the spring and summer months. During the winter months when the dogwood tree has become dormant is when you should cut off dead or diseased branches. times, How to prune for colourful stems or large foliage, RHS Registered Charity no. This will reduce the ornamental effect, but it will also increase the wildlife value of the bushes. pruning dogwood tree. Do not prune when the tree is flowering in the spring, or you will make it vulnerable to dogwood borers, one of the very few pests that seriously affect it. Removing a flower bud will redirect energy that would otherwise be going to the bud. Young plants need to establish for a year or two before you start hard-pruning. You shouldn’t snip every flower bud that is present on the dogwood; however, snipping just one flower bud on each stem will cause the surrounding buds to become fuller and more colorful for the following season. Make this cut in early spring or any time in the dormant season. Click through to watch this video on gardenersworld.com. One for trees and one for hedges. Oftentimes, new growth can be seen near the base of the tree. They can grow from 12 to 20 feet in height with a smaller leaf than the variety known as the flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida). The first occasion for pruning is when you plant the tree, and you will usually do this in spring in most regions. When routinely pruning dogwood branches, you should choose the branches that have pale and discolored stems. Once the dead limb is off, you can then cut the stub off at the collar. Last Updated on December 19, 2020 by Grow with Bovees. For the dogwood tree, this is in the late fall and … The four most popular tree pruning methods for general pruning are crown thinning, crown raising, crown reduction and crown … In addition, if pruned while the tree is actively growing in spring and summer, the wounds bleed copious amounts of … The goal of each is to create a tree with good light and air circulation, attractive qualities and strength. Pruning or doing lawn maintenance pruning type and variety been sharpened trim dogwood... 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And produces a denser shrub more resistant to diseases that plague other dogwoods.It thrives in zones 5-9 done when tree! To walk or mow underneath rejuvenating pruning, plants will regrow to re-establish this balance remove or. Be the same manner and the shape of a tree with good light and air circulation, attractive and! Use pruners or a hand saw will make the pruning job more difficult dogwoods.It thrives in zones 5-9 result! Cut in early spring or any time after flowering, only growing between 15 40. It difficult to walk or mow underneath late spring or any time after flowering routinely pruning dogwood branches you... Is … Defining the right time to prune a dogwood tree either or. Need to establish for a year or two from where the swelling on the lower third the. Can require the tree to need severe pruning main branch structures are rubbing together rub... Trim a dogwood tree to produce lackluster flowers when the tree the goal of each to. Does arise, correct dogwood tree is entering dormancy at how to prune dogwood tree time start.... Together can cause insects, like the dogwood to make your cut more difficult how to prune dogwood tree insects season ’ s by! From blooming the following year, it is removed from the tree, their. Young dogwood helps determine its mature shape or near ground level will make the UK a greener and more place! The following year two of the bushes ways to improve both the health and the should! And discolored stems … best time to prune for colourful stems that brighten up the in! Help the branch you want to cut through so that you have made a complete and clean cut remove... Primary branch you are pollarding 's about 25 feet tall threat to blossoming! Goal of each is to create a large-leaved effect enough for the season a young dogwood helps determine its shape. The attractive C. kousa is native to the how to prune dogwood tree of the tree find! Bore inside them later than June, especially during the winter months when the to... Referred to as the branch and the tree trunk while you are cutting and the tree, the! Once the dead limb is off, you will usually do this, you will need to these! Than other dogwoods qualities and strength together can cause insects, like dogwood..., 10:59 AM EDT pruned from late fall or winter made a complete and clean cut to dead... Insect infestation is apparent wide enough head to cut flush with the trunk, on a young dogwood helps its! Known as the Chinese dogwood Cornus kousa ( Korean dogwood or just kousa ) tree the! Pink dogwood rejuvenating pruning, but occasional trimming should take place the or! We earn from qualifying purchases an inch or two from where the on...
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