Can you prune a dogwood tree

Also be aware that if the tree is located in a conservation area, permission must be gained before proceeding with works of any kind. If you have a dogwood tree on your land or in your garden that you are keen to maintain in a health and attractive state you are well advised to bring in the expertise of a qualified tree surgeon.

Make sure you choose one that can provide checkable references and who is able to present you with official certificates proving their qualifications as well as insurance documents so you know you are covered for their work.

Also, wherever possible, try and use a tree surgeon that is Trading Standards and local authority approved for even further peace of mind. If you have a dogwood tree that could do with pruning or trimming, why not talk to T. Tree Services? As fully qualified and long term experienced Trading Standards and local authority approved tree surgeons, we can provide specialist expertise across all elements of dogwood tree pruning.

For a free, no-obligation quotation, contact our helpful experts on or get in touch here. Polite, professional and tidy. Service with a smile and the tidy up job was fantastic too.

I would certainly recommend TH Tree services and happily use them again. Hi Mrs Easton, thank you for leaving a lovely review. The team are really pleased they come across professional and friendly. COVID - business as usual - learn how we're working safely. Click here. Your browser does not support JavaScript!. Much of the work can be carried out with a pair of good, sharp secateurs, because stems are relatively thin.

Mulch generously after cutting. For more on coppicing, read our piece on h ow to coppice hazel. Special subscription offer. Discover some of the most glorious gardens from around the world. Find out more. Already have an account with us? Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. By entering your details, you are agreeing to Gardens Illustrated terms and conditions. You can unsubscribe at any time. From late fall to late winter, the flowering dogwood Cornus florida tree goes dormant and this is the best time for pruning dogwood trees.

Once they start to bud, you would be cutting off the beautiful white or pink flowers that signal the start of spring. While the tree is attractive to bees and butterflies, freshly cut wood also attracts the dogwood borer, which can destroy the tree. The borer arrives in April, which dictates pruning earlier in the season. Grown in U. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9, the flowering dogwood is a variety of the cornus that originated in North America.

Make a clean cut with short pruning shears; the longer shears may result in the branch ends being squeezed together and suffocating. Choose stems that are pale and discolored for pruning. Legend has it that the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus was made of dogwood because the tree stood straight and tall — and the flowers of the flowering dogwood resemble a cross. Since then, the tree grew in bends and twists, never again wanting to be used for such a tragic purpose.