Tips For Caring For Dogwood Trees

Most dogwoods require supplemental water during summer and fall, especially during hot, dry spells. For care of flowering dogwood trees, regular watering once a week to a depth of 6 inches should suffice. However, adding a generous layer of mulch will help retain moisture, minimizing watering chores.

When should you cut back dogwood?

Cutting The trick for getting the best out of dogwoods is to let them establish for three to four years before you coppice for the first time. Then cut back hard every other year to get the stem effects. Cut dogwoods back in early spring, before the plants have started into leaf.

How do you take care of a dogwood tree?

Cover the area with a thick layer of natural tree leaf mulch to protect roots and "feed" the soil, and water deeply but not too often the first summer. Once established, dogwoods love a light feeding in the spring and a slow, deep soaking at least once a month during extremely dry summers.

How can I make my dogwood bloom better?

Apply fertilizer to the soil to promote blooms. Use a general, all-purpose fertilizer. While dogwoods don't require regular fertilization, adding some fertilizer can help the tree bloom. This is especially true for dogwoods that were planted in non-fertile soil.

What is the best fertilizer for dogwood trees?

Dogwood trees grow well with a 12-4-8 fertilizer ratio. The abundance of nitrogen, denoted by the first number, reflects this element's importance to the tree. Nitrogen provides the basic structure for chlorophyll, the main pigment necessary for photosynthesis within the leaves.

Can you cut dogwood to the ground?

Old red- and yellow-twig dogwood stems develop mature bark that loses the signature colors. ... Prune out as many of the large stems to ground level as you can. You may need to cut back the young growth if it is spindly. If there are not any young stems present, cut the large stems back to 18 to 24 inches from the ground.

How far away from the house should you plant a dogwood tree?

Locating small trees

Medium-sized trees can be planted 15 feet from the house and generally 35 or more feet apart. Small trees, such as the flowering dogwood, may be planted as close as 6 feet from the house and about 20 feet apart.

Are coffee grounds good for dogwood trees?

The answer is yes! Coffee grounds make an excellent ground mulch, especially for acid-loving plants.

Is Epsom salt good for dogwood trees?

fantastic results the following spring.

Can you overwater a dogwood tree?

Virginia Tech tree authority, Bonnie Appleton at the Hampton Roads Research Center, said, "Overwatering could cause problems with dogwoods. They don't like wet feet, and that could predispose the trees to other things, like anthracnose.

What is the lifespan of a dogwood tree?

It is a plant with four-season character – showy spring flowers, summer and fall foliage, fall fruit and winter branching habit. Trees can be used in groupings, as specimens or in naturalized areas. The average lifespan is 80 years. Flowering dogwood is rated hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9.

How many years does it take for a dogwood to bloom?

Dogwoods often take five to seven years before they begin to bloom in earnest. The good news is that if it takes a while to bloom, it's because the plant is happy and healthy rather than because it's under stress, and should keep blooming away for years to come.

What causes dogwood trees not to bloom?

Too Much or Too Little Sunlight

Dogwoods naturally grow on the edges of forests, which means that they spend part of their day in shade and part of their day in sunlight. If your dogwood tree spends all day in shade or all day in sun, the dogwood tree may not be able to bloom correctly.

Where is the best place to plant a dogwood tree?

Selecting where to plant your dogwood: Choose a site for your dogwoods that is well-drained but does not get extremely dry. Soil high in organic matter is best. Dogwoods can be planted in full sun or partial shade, though partial shade is best (morning sun in particular).

Do dogwood trees bloom twice a year?

Each of these dogwoods bloom at different times of the year. ... These trees bloom in March across the country. Other dogwoods include kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa, and the Cornelian cherry dogwood, Cornus mas. Kousa dogwood and Cornelian cherry dogwood both blossom in late winter.

Should you fertilize dogwood trees?

Do not over-fertilize young trees in an effort to accelerate growth. On small trees 12 to 24 inches tall, apply one level tablespoonful in March and July. A newly-planted dogwood 6 feet tall requires about ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) of a 12-4-8 or 16-4-8 fertilizer in March and again in July.

Is red twig dogwood invasive?

Because of the densely growing underground stems and rapid growth rate, red osier dogwood can become invasive. When growing it in your yard, take steps such as pruning to confine it only to the areas you desire it. Leaf and twig blights, canker and leaf spots are occasionally a problem, as are leaf miners and bagworms.

Can you keep Dogwood small?

A dogwood grows 1 or 2 feet each year until it's about 25 feet tall. You can keep the tree a bit shorter by heading upright branches back by one-third each year, but this may produce a tree that spreads wider than the usual 25 feet.

Can I prune dogwood shrub in summer?

Routine pruning of dogwood can occur in summer, as long as you're making good cuts (shearing is not ideal). It's best not to remove more than 20-30% of the shrub's total canopy during the growing season. But avoid pruning after mid-August, as the plant will need time to acclimate to cooler weather.

Which trees should not be planted near houses?

Vastu Shastra | Suitable Direction for Trees

Large trees, like the peepal, should not be planted too close to the house as their roots can damage the foundation of the house. The trees that attract insects, worms, honey bees or serpents should be avoided in the garden. They bring bad luck.

Can dogwood trees tolerate full sun?

Light: Dogwood grows fine in shade, but it won't bloom there. For blooms, it needs at least a half-day of sun. For the heaviest bloom, plant it in full sun.

What trees should not be planted close to a house?

Trees known for their rather undesirable qualities, and why you should steer clear of them.

Cottonwood. One of the trees you should avoid having in your backyard is certainly cottonwood. ...
Bradford Pear. ...
Mimosa Tree. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Chinese Tallow. ...
Norway Maple. ...
Eucalyptus. ...
Quaking Aspen.