How To Prune A Dogwood

Knowing how to prune a dogwood correctly is key to keeping this beautiful tree or shrub healthy and looking its best. Many gardeners are nervous about making the first cut, but with the right techniques, it’s a straightforward and rewarding task.

This guide will walk you through the expert methods for different types of dogwoods. You’ll learn the best times to prune, the tools you need, and the simple steps to follow for stunning results year after year.

Pruning a dogwood isn’t just about cutting branches. It’s about understanding the plant’s growth habit and goals. The approach differs depending on whether you have a flowering dogwood tree or a colorful-stemmed shrub variety.

Your main objectives are to remove dead or diseased wood, improve air circulation, and encourage the best display—whether that’s flowers, stems, or form.

Why Pruning Your Dogwood Matters

Regular pruning is essential for a strong, vibrant plant. It prevents disease by allowing sunlight and air to reach the inner branches. This reduces the risk of fungal issues like powdery mildew.

Pruning also stimulates new growth. For red or yellow-twig dogwoods, this means brighter winter stem color. For flowering types, it can lead to more prolific blooms. It also helps maintain a pleasing shape and removes safety hazards like weak or broken limbs.

Essential Tools for the Job

Using the right, sharp tools makes pruning easier and healthier for the tree. Clean cuts heal faster. Here’s what you’ll need:

Hand Pruners (Bypass Style): For branches up to ¾ inch thick.
Loppers: For branches between ¾ and 1½ inches. Their long handles provide leverage.
Pruning Saw: For any branches larger than 1½ inches. A curved blade works well.
Safety Gear: Always wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes.

Remember to disinfect your tools with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water before you start and when moving between plants. This stops the spread of disease.

The Best Time to Prune Dogwoods

Timing is everything. Getting it wrong can cost you a season of flowers or brilliant stem color.

For Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida, Cornus kousa)

These are pruned primarily for shape and health, not to control size. The best time is right after they finish blooming in late spring or early summer. They set their flower buds for next year on old wood later in the season. Pruning in fall or winter would remove these buds.

For Shrub Dogwoods (Cornus alba, Cornus sericea)

These are grown for their vivid red or yellow winter stems. They need a hard pruning in early spring, just before new growth begins. This sacrifice of the old stems forces out the new, brightly colored growth that will shine next winter.

Step-by-Step Pruning Guide for Flowering Dogwoods

Follow these steps to care for your flowering dogwood tree.

Start with the 3 D’s: Remove any Dead, Diseased, or Damaged wood first. Cut these branches back to their point of origin or to healthy tissue.
Improve Airflow: Look for branches that are crossing, rubbing, or growing inward toward the center of the tree. Remove the weaker of any two crossing branches. Thin out congested areas to open up the canopy.
Suckers and Water Sprouts: Cut off any suckers growing from the base of the trunk. Also remove any straight, fast-growing vertical shoots (water sprouts) from the main branches.
Shape Gently: Step back and assess the tree’s natural shape. Flowering dogwoods have a lovely horizontal branching habit. Make minimal cuts to any overly long or out-of-place branches to enhance this natural form. Avoid shearing or topping.
Final Check: Ensure you haven’t removed more than 25% of the live canopy in a single season. Less is often more.

Step-by-Step Pruning Guide for Shrub Dogwoods

This method, called coppicing or stooling, is used for stem color on shrubs like ‘Arctic Fire’ or ‘Midwinter Fire’.

Timing is Key: Do this in late winter or very early spring, while the plant is still dormant.
Hard Cutback: Using your loppers or pruners, cut all of the stems down to within 6 to 9 inches of the ground. Make clean, angled cuts just above a set of visible buds.
Clean Up: Remove all of the cut stems from the area. This drastic pruning signals the plant to send up a flush of new, vigorous stems that will have the brightest color by next winter.

For a more staggered height, you can prune only one-third of the oldest stems to the ground each year. This is a renewal method that ensures some color every winter.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good intentions, it’s easy to make errors. Here are the big ones to steer clear of.

Pruning at the Wrong Time: This is the most common error. Pruning flowering dogwoods in late winter removes the flower buds. Pruning stem shrubs in fall removes the colorful stems you wanted to keep for winter.
Topping the Tree: Never cut the main leader or the tops of horizontal branches straight across. This ruins the tree’s natural shape and invites disease and weak growth.
Using Dull or Dirty Tools: Dull tools make ragged tears that heal slowly. Dirty tools can transfer infection from one branch to another.
Over-Pruning: Removing to much wood at once stresses the tree. Stick to the 25% rule as a maximum in any given year.
Making Flush Cuts: When removing a branch, don’t cut flush with the trunk. This damages the branch collar, the tree’s natural defense zone. Instead, cut just outside the collar, where the branch meets the trunk.

Aftercare Following Pruning

A little care after pruning helps your dogwood recover quickly and thrive.

Water the tree deeply if conditions are dry. This reduces stress. You can apply a thin layer of compost around the base (keeping it away from the trunk) to provide gentle nutrients. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can encourage to much soft, sappy growth.

Monitor the tree over the following weeks for signs of new growth, which indicates a successful pruning session. Keep an eye out for any pests that might be attracted to fresh cuts, though this is rare.

FAQ: Your Dogwood Pruning Questions Answered

Can I prune my dogwood to make it smaller?

It’s better to choose a dogwood that fits the space when mature. Heavy pruning to reduce size can damage its natural shape and health. For minor shaping, prune selectively after blooming.

My dogwood has dead branches. Can I remove them anytime?

Yes! Dead, diseased, or damaged wood can and should be removed as soon as you notice it, regardless of the season. This helps the tree’s overall health.

How do I prune a young, newly planted dogwood?

Focus on structure. Remove any damaged branches at planting. In the first few years, prune lightly only to establish a strong central leader (for trees) or good framework. Avoid heavy pruning until it’s well-established.

What if I see a fungus or canker on a branch?

Prune it out immediately, cutting 6-8 inches below the visible infection. Disinfect your tools before and after with a bleach solution to prevent spreading it to other parts of the tree or other plants.

Is it necessary to use wound sealant on cuts?

Most experts now recommend against it. Trees have their own compartmentalization process. Sealants can sometimes trap moisture and hinder healing. A proper cut just outside the branch collar is the best protection.

Pruning your dogwood is an act of care that pays back in health, beauty, and longevity. By following these expert techniques—pruning flowering types after bloom and shrub types in late winter—you’ll ensure your dogwood remains a standout in your garden for many years to come. Grab your sharp tools, take a deep breath, and make that first confident cut. Your dogwood will thank you for it.