Dogwood does not usually need much pruning. Even without manually shaping the tree, Dogwood tends to keep a nice shape. However, it can be modeled manually if desired. Do the main pruning - the removal of the branches - during the dormant season, and the secondary pruning - to stimulate new development - during the active growing season.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Main Pruning
Step 1. Remove the branches during the winter or early spring
Dogwood should still be in a dormant state when the branches are removed. Sawing or otherwise removing branches during late spring or summer after the tree begins to actively grow can create new, eye-catching entry points for insects that like to pierce the tree's wood.
Step 2. Remove dry branches
Dead or dying wood won't do any good for your tree. In fact, leaving it on the tree can actually cause problems. In particular, Dogwood will be able to more easily develop molds or other fungi, which can then spread to the healthy parts.
Step 3. Cut off diseased or insect-infested branches
Like dry branches, diseased ones will only carry new infections to the rest of the Dogwood. When severing visibly sick branches, you should immerse the shears or saw in a solution consisting of one part of bleach and three parts of water to sterilize them. If not, you can accidentally spread the disease to other parts of the tree.
Step 4. Cut off old, thin stems
Some varieties of Dogwood, particularly the shrubby types, are valued primarily for the colorful bark that grows on the new stems. You can prune the stems of these varieties or cut them completely. For shrubby dogwoods, you can actually cut the tree back down to the ground every few years to remove old stems and encourage the growth of new twigs.
Step 5. Thin out crowded areas
If a particular section of your Dogwood seems abnormally dense or crowded, select the weakest branches at that point and cut them off at the origin.
Step 6. Remove the shoots growing below the graft point
Some hybrids or variegated varieties are created by grafting two different Dogwoods together. A branch that grows below the graft point will have the characteristics of one of the original trees used for the hybrid, rather than those of the hybrid. To keep the foliage and appearance of the tree in tune, these unwanted branches need to be removed by sawing or pruning them at their point of origin.
Step 7. Determine if you need to remove the lower branches
Sometimes, the lower branches of the Dogwood can disturb walking or other gardening activities. Other times, the branches hang so low that the underside of the tree doesn't get enough air. Either way, the lower branches can be sawn or cut away with sturdy shears.
Method 2 of 2: Secondary Pruning
Step 1. Cut off the flower buds
Cut off the buds at the end of each branch to redirect the energy in favor of the lateral ones of the branch. By cutting off a single bud, you encourage the development of multiple buds, leading to a richer flower arrangement. These buds can be cut with shears or plucked with your hands.
Step 2. Prune the Dogwood to encourage flowering in early summer
June is generally considered the best month for this type of pruning, but any period in early summer will do. You shouldn't cut off the buds during the dormant season as this will cut the flowers before they have a chance to open, without redirecting the energy. However, don't wait too long in the summer, as doing so will not allow the sprouts to accumulate enough energy for new sprouts and buds for the next year.
Advice
- After pruning the Dogwood, water well. Watering the tree after removing the branches helps relieve shock and reduce the stress that could affect the tree.
- Branch pruning should be done on the collar, or at the base of the branch closest to the trunk of the tree. Leaving a stump or large section of the branch intact promotes disease and insects. These sections can also sprout by growing in odd directions, and distorting the shape of your tree.
