Can I top a Dogwood to keep it short - Ask Extension
I planted a dogwood that should attain a height of well over 25 feet someday, only to then find out I can't have trees over 12 feet.
I planted it 2...
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Can I top a Dogwood to keep it short #862126
Asked March 21, 2024, 7:25 AM EDT
I planted a dogwood that should attain a height of well over 25 feet someday, only to then find out I can't have trees over 12 feet.
I planted it 2 years ago. It currently had a central "leader" -- is that the word? -- that is about 10 tall; the leader reaches 3 feet above the next set of limbs below it.
If I top off just above those lower limbs, will that cause my tree to grow wider and less tall ... or kill it. :(
BTW, you folks are wonderful. You've always been there for me!
Linn County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Tony,
Pruning flowering dogwoods can be done after the blooming period. Make sure you do it in the summer before the tree sets new buds for flowering in the next year. This is a time when dry weather will help harden off the cuts.
I am linking a pruning guide for you to follow. This will tell you about opening up the interior of the tree for good airflow, cutting off interior limbs that are growing either toward the interior or sideways or downward, taking off dead or diseased limbs as well. Lots of pictures and easy to follow pruning guide.
Dogwoods are different from some other trees in that you want to only remove about 10% of the tree growth. More, and it may have bad results. Often dogwoods send out all different kinds of shoots. By that I mean it can go crazy with sprouts.
Since it is important for you to keep it at 12 feet, you can leave the main stem where it is and prune the sprouts that emerge from the top.
Pruning limbs that are less than 4 inches in diameter is best. Taking out dead, damaged or diseased limbs does not count for the 10% pruning.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/fruit-trees/tree-pruning-basics
If you have further questions after reading the publication, please contact us again.
Pruning flowering dogwoods can be done after the blooming period. Make sure you do it in the summer before the tree sets new buds for flowering in the next year. This is a time when dry weather will help harden off the cuts.
I am linking a pruning guide for you to follow. This will tell you about opening up the interior of the tree for good airflow, cutting off interior limbs that are growing either toward the interior or sideways or downward, taking off dead or diseased limbs as well. Lots of pictures and easy to follow pruning guide.
Dogwoods are different from some other trees in that you want to only remove about 10% of the tree growth. More, and it may have bad results. Often dogwoods send out all different kinds of shoots. By that I mean it can go crazy with sprouts.
Since it is important for you to keep it at 12 feet, you can leave the main stem where it is and prune the sprouts that emerge from the top.
Pruning limbs that are less than 4 inches in diameter is best. Taking out dead, damaged or diseased limbs does not count for the 10% pruning.
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/crop-production/fruit-trees/tree-pruning-basics
If you have further questions after reading the publication, please contact us again.
You folks are incredible. Thanks!
