How to prune flowering dogwood

Late winter (dormant) or midsummer — avoid spring and autumn. Make clean cuts to the branch collar using sharp, sterilized tools. Never leave stubs. Do not remove large limbs unnecessarily — the tree compartmentalizes wounds slowly. Limit pruning to dead, diseased, crossing or structurally problematic branches.

Only as needed; typically every few years. Flowering Dogwood develops its elegant tiered branching naturally and rarely needs pruning beyond removing dead, diseased or crossing wood. Over-pruning ruins its structure. Carry out any necessary cuts in late winter while dormant, or in midsummer (avoiding spring and autumn when the tree is vulnerable to fungal entry through wounds).

Make clean cuts to the branch collar using sharp, sterilized tools. Never leave stubs. Do not remove large limbs unnecessarily — the tree compartmentalizes wounds slowly. Limit pruning to dead, diseased, crossing or structurally problematic branches.