Dogwood trees are well known for their year-round beauty of red, white, or pink flowers. They bloom in spring and light up the landscape around your home. You always want to keep them healthy year after year. Learn how to prune and shape them when they are young.
In the fall, the foliage turns deep red and purple. Its beauty is as brilliant as the maple leaves against the blue autumn sky. Berries are an important food source for many species in winter. Therefore, trees have amazing benefits for our lives.
And ready to learn when do you plant dogwood trees.
When do you plant dogwood trees?
Once you have found a suitable source of seedlings, you can find a wide area and plant dogwood. Planting time is late autumn. Or the time you can choose is early spring when the ground has warmed up. Choose to plant in the fall with the benefits it brings without the heat of summer.
Choose a shaded planting site. Pull up weeds and clear up debris and grass. Dogwood will shed leaves and remain dormant throughout the winter. If you plant young trees, you should plant them in the spring. Plants will grow steadily before the frost period. If your tree is more mature, you can plant it in the fall.
On the whole, you can choose to plant in different seasons depending on the nursery.
When temperatures soar in the summer, avoid planting in the afternoon. It can lead to overheating and sun damage. Most people encourage planting dogwood in the spring because of the rapid growth of buds. Plants have time to adapt to the new environment to start developing a root system.
Dogwood hibernates in late fall, so this is also the time to plant before the ground freezes. Make sure the plant receives enough water throughout its life in the new environment. Can you check this out?
Deciding in which season to plant depends on the climate considered. Plant the tree in the fall and help it take root through the winter to bloom and thrive in the spring. This is also a good choice.
How to grow a dogwood tree
Seed selection, soil standards or care are all important for the best results. You also need to find out some information about the standards before doing so in the following sections.
1. Choosing the right seedling
When choosing dogwood trees, gardeners should choose popular seedlings for the best chance of success. They originate from the United States. Some species are native to China and Japan. Ask nurseries about dogwoods suitable for your garden and local climate.
Plant the tree where you want it. Dogwood needs a partial ball. If your garden receives a lot of suns, increase the amount of water for the plants. So, choose a planting location that has a combination of shade and sun. Dogwood has shade. Then you should not be planted near other plants that need full sun.
When planting, place the root ball in the hole about ¼ above the ground. Fill the hole and compact the soil. In the same way, you keep the mulch a few inches from the stem to retain water. Do not forget to water the plant to provide enough moisture for the new roots.
2. Land and water requirements
The soil is rich in organic matter and has good drainage. If the water stagnates throughout the day, the roots of the plant will become waterlogged. Dogwood grows best in acidic to neutral soil. Test soil pH between 7.0 and 5.5 to add proper compost and organic matter 6-12 months before planting.
Depending on the growing environment, you will change the amount of water you water as well as adjust the nutritional value of the soil over the years of planting. Add a slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertilizer with an NPK value of 12-4-8. Avoid overly sandy soils and depressions where water can collect.
How to Prune a Dogwood Tree
If you see any dead, damaged or diseased branches, you should prune them immediately. Thus, choose the strongest central bud and remove the surrounding shoots.
In subsequent years, gardeners can prune and shape the tree. Remove dead wood, strong vertical shoots, or young shoots.
In the summer, you can do this pruning. Prune the inner canopies to thin and improve air circulation.
At that time, the tree can receive full sunlight and develop the most beautiful foliage.
Diseases and Pests on Dogwood Trees
The stem borer emerges and burrows through the wounds in the bark. Be careful with lawn mowers or watch for wounds on trees to avoid pests. While this is unlikely, you need to avoid infected plants and try to get rid of the small caterpillars.
Fungal diseases also appear on trees with leaf spots and blisters on the trunk. Humid air is the main cause of this disease. The foliage should be trimmed to allow air circulation for the plant. However, this disease is more likely to occur with wild plants than with plants with special care.
To avoid pests, ensure the amount of watering, and mulch on the roots, avoid applying too much nitrogen and avoid mechanical injuries. Prune the tree regularly to allow space between the foliage.
Final Thoughts
With the great care experience from these gardeners, you have the opportunity to grow dogwood for the landscape of the house. Observe the right planting location and watch the first flowers bloom to herald spring. Colorful flowers attract anyone.
After that, the foliage also turns beautiful colors when it comes to autumn. Trees provide shade for life and also bring food for other growing species. You will feel lucky to grow this beautiful plant and watch it grow. For more dogwood tree, check the new plant for you here.