Pagoda Dogwood Pruning

Pagoda dogwood pruning

Only prune in early spring before the plant leafs out. Crossing, badly formed or damaged branches should be removed back to a main branch. Low branches should also be removed, if a tree form is desired, when the plant is young.

When should I prune my dogwood tree?

The best time to prune a dogwood tree is when the tree is dormant so late fall and winter. This way the tree won't be susceptible to boring insects and its wounds won't bleed a lot of sap.

Can you keep a pagoda dogwood small?

The Pagoda Dogwood can measure between 15 and 25 feet in height (between 4 and 8 meters) and takes up a good amount of space since its branches tend to grow quite a bit out the sides. Nevertheless, if you plant these shrubs in containers, it's likely they'll be smaller.

Can dogwood be cut back hard?

For dogwoods that have become unruly, woody, and unsightly, you can easily reinvigorate your shrubs through hard pruning. To do so, cut the entire plant back to about 18 inches above the ground.

What happens if you don't prune dogwood?

Old Plants and New If it hasn't ever been pruned you may shock it and it could die. Either remove and replant or follow option 3 to encourage new growth. New plants should be allowed to establish for a year or two before pruning so don't cut them right to the ground in the first year.

How do you prune a pagoda plant?

Whether growing as a tree or a shrub, the pagoda flower should be cut back to less than 2 m in height every year in late winter or early spring to keep growth dense and compact. Pruning away dead wood in the spring will allow further blooming in late summer.

How far can you cut back dogwood?

Withmost trees, professionals advise that you could remove up to one-fifth of the foliage. But when pruning a dogwood tree, Isay you should prune even less. Maybe something like one-eight of the foliage, or perhaps even one-sixteenth.

How far back can you cut a dogwood bush?

If your Dogwood shrub has become overgrown and unsightly, or just looks burnt out, in late winter you can cut back the entire shrub to about 10 inches above the ground.

Why are you not supposed to cut a dogwood tree?

In areas where boring insects are a problem, never prune a dogwood tree in spring. The wounds created by pruning cuts provide an entry point for these devastating insects. In addition, if pruned while the tree is actively growing in spring and summer, the wounds bleed copious amounts of messy sap.

Is Pagoda dogwood a good tree?

An excellent landscape shrub, Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a deciduous shrub or small understory tree. It prefers partial sun, a moist well-drained site, and a rich soil that is somewhat acidic. Fragrant white flower clusters in spring are followed by dark blue berries on red stems.

How long do pagoda dogwood trees live?

Planting & Growing It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will die in standing water.

How do you care for a pagoda dogwood?

Culture: Pagoda dogwood prefers moist, acidic, well-drained soil. It appears to prefer partial shade but can grow well in full sun. It is important to keep the root zone cool and moist. Pagoda dogwood performs best in colder climates.

Can you cut a dogwood bush to the ground?

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.

Can you cut the top off a dogwood tree?

Avoid cutting the dogwood's trunk. Dogwood borer larvae can enter the shrub through holes in the trunk. Do not completely cut back the top of your dogwood tree. This weakens the tree, causing decay and possible death.

How do you prune a mature dogwood tree?

And marry down to the other cut it doesn't peel away from the tree. It's a little extra effort but

Do you prune dogwood every year?

Dogwood - Hard Pruning All you have to do to keep your plants producing lots of new stems with their rich colours is to hard prune them - or coppice - them every year from the end of their first year.

Are dogwoods low maintenance?

Dogwood trees are low-maintenance plants that grow well in USDA hardiness zones five through nine. 1. Plant your dogwood tree in part shade. Although dogwood trees can survive in full sun, most species thrive in partial shade with filtered light.

How do you shape a dogwood shrub?

Cut the branches with sharp pruning shears, loppers or a saw at the base near the ground above the first leaf node. Prune red dogwood bushes in late fall after the leaves have dropped. The bush may also be pruned in early spring before new growth appears, but it should be dormant.

How do you care for a pagoda?

Light: Plant in full sun to light shade. Water needs: Prefers a moist soil; grows best with weekly waterings. Feedings: Light feeding of general garden fertilizer in March, June and August, if needed. Slow-release fertilizers may be substituted.

How tall does a pagoda plant get?

The Pagoda Flower is in the mint family, Lamiaceae, and has a wide native range, from India to Southeast Asia. It can grow to be 6 feet or taller and at least as wide, and in the “Rainforest” is a staple of summer.