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The height ranges from 15 to 20 feet tall (
American dogwood – Wikipedia
in the sun) to 40 feet tall (flowering dogwood in the shade). The spread may be even greater than the height. Growth Rate: Dogwoods grow at a slow to moderate rate (about 20 feet in 25 years).
How much space does a dogwood tree need?
Young trees will need some room to grow, so you shouldn’t overcrowd the group. Standard-sized dogwoods may be spaced around 18 feet apart, although dwarf-sized dogwoods can be spaced closer together.
Can dogwood trees be kept small?
Pruning Goals A dogwood grows 1 or 2 feet each year until it’s about 25 feet tall. You can keep the tree a bit shorter by heading upright branches back by one-third each year, but this may produce a tree that spreads wider than the usual 25 feet.
How far away from the house should you plant a dogwood tree?
Locating small trees Medium-sized trees can be planted 15 feet from the house and generally 35 or more feet apart. Small trees, such as the flowering dogwood, may be planted as close as 6 feet from the house and about 20 feet apart.
Is a dogwood tree a fast growing tree?
Dogwood trees grow to different sizes depending on the species and cultivar. Most are moderate-sized trees ranging from 20 to 40 feet in height. Interestingly, all dogwoods grow at about the same, rather slow rate of less than one foot per year, according to Clemson University.
How far away from a fence should you plant a dogwood tree?
If you’re planting near the house, check the mature width, then plant no closer than half of that distance. A Kousa dogwood, for example, will grow at least 20 feet around, so it should go no closer than 10 feet from the house wall.
Where is the best place to plant a dogwood?
Choose a site for your dogwoods that is well-drained but does not get extremely dry. Soil high in organic matter is best. Dogwoods can be planted in full sun or partial shade, though partial shade is best (morning sun in particular). Dogwoods are typically an understory tree in the wild.
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.
Should dogwood trees be pruned?
While a flowering dogwood tree is reliable in producing blooms each year, it should still be pruned. Pruning dogwood trees will produce more flowering blooms in the following year, giving you a fuller and healthier tree in good shape. Always completely remove dead or diseased limbs.
When should you trim a dogwood tree?
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. Therefore, the best time to prune a dogwood tree is in late fall and winter while the tree is dormant.
Do dogwoods have invasive roots?
Dogwoods have shallow roots, and even with dappled shade, these root systems will dry quickly. Water the tree to a depth of three feet, and observe the leaves for signs of over or under watering. If the leaves are light-green, prickly, or crispy, the tree needs more water.
What is the lifespan of a dogwood tree?
It is a plant with four-season character – showy spring flowers, summer and fall foliage, fall fruit and winter branching habit. Trees can be used in groupings, as specimens or in naturalized areas. The average lifespan is 80 years. Flowering dogwood is rated hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9.
What time of year should you plant a dogwood tree?
The best time to plant white dogwoods is in the spring, when the soil is moist and before the tree growth begins. Choose a planting site that receives dappled shade. Pull any weeds and clear away any debris and turfgrass. Dig a hole that is roughly ⅔ the depth of the root ball.
Are dogwood trees good?
Dogwood trees are easily recognizable and incredibly popular in the home landscape and for good reason. These beautiful trees are symbols of spring. They offer dazzling displays in both spring and fall. Enjoy attractive blooms in early or mid spring, depending on the variety, and amazing red autumn foliage.
Are dogwoods messy?
Why should you start shopping for a dogwood tree? Although you’ll still need the services of a tree expert from time to time, you won’t want to have to deal with constant maintenance for a messy tree. Flowering dogwoods are relatively tidy and low-maintenance, and typically require only occasional pruning.
How far do dogwood tree roots spread?
As a general rule, the size of the root structure of a tree is four to seven times the area covered by its crown. Chinese dogwood has a 15- to 30-foot crown, so its roots could cover an area from approximately 185 to 660 square feet.
Can I plant a dogwood tree next to my house?
A well-developed, mature dogwood tree has a vaselike form, with branches that spread out gracefully from the center of the tree, making it one of the best trees to plant near a house according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Can you plant a dogwood tree in the winter?
The best time to plant your dogwood is early spring or late fall. Dogwoods are deciduous, meaning they go dormant during the winter. This makes planting much less stressful for the tree, and a stress-free tree is a healthy tree. If you’re planting a young tree, it’s best to plant it in spring.
