Instead, prune in the dead of winter or in early spring, he suggests. “We prune most trees in the late winter,” Gil says. How to Hard Prune Dogwood for its Winter Display . With that said, you can prune now to force branches a certain direction. Other Blog Posts. While the tree is attractive to bees and butterflies, freshly cut wood also attracts the dogwood borer, which can destroy the tree. For example, a tree blooming in June of 2018 is blooming on growth from 2018. Prune when the kousa dogwood is dormant, in late fall or early winter. It is sometimes referred to as the Chinese dogwood. Kousa dogwoods are genetically an upright, vase-shaped tree. Planting in poorly drained areas will usually result in the tree dying. Replace the soil around the root ball carefully, and make sure the soil has been loosened to allow for good drainage around the roots. Prune when the kousa dogwood is dormant, in late fall or early winter. And follow our step-by-step demonstration, below, for detailed advice on taking dogwood cuttings. It has brightly coloured young bark that looks great in winter when all the leaves have fallen. You do not need to cut flush with the trunk. Best results will be obtained when dogwoods are planted in association with larger trees that provide moderate shade. 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). Pruning them will bring back the brilliant red and yellow color of the stems. The Cornus kousa (Korean Dogwood or just Kousa) tree is more resistant to diseases that plague other dogwoods.It thrives in zones 5-9. Also, remember that this tree is putting on flower blooms in the fall. Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, sidewalks and anyplace falling limbs could injure people or damage property. When Is The Best Time to Prune Trees in North Carolina? The best time to prune a tree is during the dormant season, or late winter through early spring. Tagged as: dogwood diseases, dogwood tree, dogwood tree care, Dogwoods. Prune to protect people and property. When to Prune, by Tree Type Most routine pruning is done to remove infestation, weak, dead or diseased branches, and can be completed at any time during the year with little effect on the tree. Dogwood Tree Food. For thicker branches, you can use a small chainsaw. The best time to prune a dogwood tree is after it has finished blooming for the season, usually in late summer or early fall. Prune these in the dormant season to easily visualize the structure of the tree, to maximize wound closure in the growing season after pruning, to reduce the chance of transmitting disease, and to discourage excessive sap flow from wounds. When to Prune a Dogwood Tree. Also, trying to prune genetics can be a challenge. Cornus sericea is a 6- to 9-foot multi-stemmed shrub that blooms with white flowers in May and June.C. There are many ways to improve both the health and the shape of a tree. As the dogwood shrub ages, the stems become more grayish instead of the bright red or yellow color. Many are the factors involved in defining the right way and time for pruning, including the type and age of the tree, the weather, the purpose of pruning, etc. The dogwood tree is very delicate and will not tolerate excessive pruning, so trimming should … When to prune for stems. If you prune while the tree is trying to actively grow in the spring, it is even more of a burden. Pruning: Regular trimming isn’t necessary with Kousa dogwood, but you may want to selectively prune your tree in order to show off the dramatic branches and bark. Other Resources. When to prune dogwood shrubs? Flowering dogwood is native to the U.S. but not hardy in the north. Pink dogwood trees (Cornus florida) spread up to 25 feet wide, reach up to 25 feet tall and are sustainable in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness Zones 8 through 10. This project was supported by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC.) Step 2 Think of the kousa dogwood in thirds. These trees should be pruned in early spring for the best bloom: Catalpa; Dogwood; American smoke tree; Hawthorn; Japanese tree lilac; Tree Pruning Methods. Mulch your dogwood tree. Have hazardous trees taken down. When talking about tree pruning, knowing how and when to do it is vital. "Spring bloomers can get a haircut right after they finish flowering. Watering: Water your dogwood on a regular basis until it is established. Dogwood trees need slightly acidic soil to thrive. Open wounds attract insects and diseases that can harm the tree. How to prune a dogwood tree. Dormant pruning allows the tree or shrub to deal with healing the cut without having to worry about producing leaves and flowers or sending out new growth. That's if you can't stop yourself. One exception is flowering trees like dogwood and cherry, Gil says. ... Mr. Tree Service Portland We have served the Portland metro area and all surrounding communities since 2000, with over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial tree care. Dogwood shrubs, such as red twig dogwoods, are not to be confused with dogwood trees. 4. Any wound to the trunk itself is a way for pests to enter. Depending on their location, red twig dogwood can grow to be 10 feet tall and 10 feet across. Launch Animation. Leave the very top of the root ball exposed. How to Prune Pink Dogwood. They seldom need pruning, but when the need does arise, correct dogwood tree pruning is important. Growth problems are more likely in hot, dry exposures. Read Also: What is the best white hydrangea plant. Trimming Dogwood Trees: Tips On How To Prune A Flowering Dogwood Tree Since they grow only 15 to 30 feet tall, there is room for a dogwood tree in almost any landscape. The ornamental dogwood tree is a popular specimen due to its vibrant flowers … While both shrubs and the trees belong to the same genus: Cornus, the shrubs will never become trees.There are two species of dogwood shrubs: Cornus alba, which is the Tatarian dogwood, and Cornus sericea, which is the Redosier dogwood.Both species are much alike in their cultural needs. Like many flowering trees and shrubs, the best time to prune a dogwood tree is when the tree is dormant. Trees are dormant in winter, which means the fresh pruning cuts will heal faster. Remove dead branches. You’ll need pruning shears to cut branches less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and a hand saw to remove branches up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. Before you apply any fertilizer for dogwoods, it is a good idea to test your soil and see what nutrients it lacks and if the pH is suited to your plant. Pagoda dogwood is hardier and suitable for zones 4 through 7. For the dogwood tree, this is in the late fall and winter. Snip off branches on the lower third of the remaining trunk with pruning shears and the tree will grow taller, faster. Prune when the kousa dogwood is dormant, in late fall or early winter.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. alba, also known as Tatarian dogwood is an 8- to 10-foot shrub with creamy white flowers, also blooming in May and June. The best time to prune is in the late fall or winter while the tree is dormant. New trees need a different ratio than established specimens. Avoiding pruning to close to the trunk, you don’t want to cut or wound the dogwood trunk. juliannafunk / Getty Images Two dogwood species carry the common name red-twig dogwood. For hard or rejuvenating pruning, prune the older stems or canes in the late winter while the dogwood shrub is dormant. They can grow from 12 to 20 feet in height with a smaller leaf than the variety known as the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida). Diseases of Red Twig Dogwood Tree. Mulching: Kousa dogwood benefit from a layer of mulch to hold in moisture. Think of the kousa dogwood in thirds. When to prune a red twig dogwood, the bark of red-twig dogwood is brightest on young stems. Prune them off where they attach to the base of the trunk with caution. The type of dogwood tree food is an important consideration too. Watering: Irrigate your Kousa dogwood during drought. 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. Eliminate branches that interfere with street lights, traffic signals and overhead wires. Dogwood trees have a naturally attractive rounded shape, so they require little pruning unless needed for aesthetic reasons or to improve their vigor. In the wild the dogwood is commonly found as an understory tree growing under hardwoods and pines. Nine things you should know about trees. Recent wounds and the chemical scents they emit can attract insects that spread tree disease. The attractive C. kousa is native to Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan.. Plant your dogwood tree about two-thirds of the depth of the root ball. Our native dogwoods grow quite differently, more reaching, horizontal branching. When pruning a dogwood tree, it is important to keep in mind not to over-trim, as this will result in weak branches and stunted growth. Dogwood Tree Care in the Fall and Winter. Tree Pruning Guide. Any kind of pruning stresses a plant. You can just use single plants here and there, or make a lovely dogwood feature by planting a big clump of them. Pruning a dogwood tree in spring or summer leaves it open to disease from insects and risks damage to the tree while it is actively growing. Regular pruning can encourage more vividly colored shrubs in winter. More on growing dogwood: Best dogwoods for winter colour; 20 trees for small gardens; Fast-growing plants for screens; Watch our video, above, where Joe Swift demonstrates how to prune and take hardwood cuttings from dogwoods. Dogwood suckers can be pruned off any time after flowering. Shrubs like red- and yellow-twig dogwood that are primarily grown for their colored bark usually have the brightest color in young stems. Many gardeners find it helpful to mulch the area under the tree. 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