Should very low branches be taken off young trees?

Question: I planted these flowering dogwood trees in 2020; they were mere twigs from The Arbor Day Foundation. The lowest branches now touch the ground. They are very graceful to look at but I can't mow under them. Will the growth of the trunk eventually lift these branches further from the ground or should I remove them this fall or in the spring?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 20, 2023, 12:23 PM EDT
response: Here is the general info on growing dogwood: Growing Flowering Dogwood Trees | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu)  The best solution is the leave tree alone and expand the mulch area under the tree, to the dripline. As the tree grows it will create more shade, which will not allow grass to grow very well. Increasing the mulched area will also allow more efficient mowing around it, without the possibility of harming the tree.  For tree 2, you need to stake the central branch to make it more vertical. You made need to do it in several steps to prevent breaking it.  If you do want to prune, do it when the tree in dormant, in Feb or Mar. In this case, consider pruning the lowest branch and perhaps some of the smaller drooping branches from the remaining branches. But, no pruning is best for this type of dogwood.  Good luck Len

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 1:01 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for such a speedy reply, and for such practical suggestions.  On Thu, Jul 20, 2023 at 12:23 PM Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 21, 2023, 9:29 AM EDT
response: As a follow-up in case this is useful, this is not a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) but is another species of Dogwood, perhaps Gray (Cornus racemosa) or Silky (Cornus amomum), both of which are more like large shrubs or small trees when mature. (Flowering Dogwood blooms look quite different from these, but since the flowers and foliage of the other two listed species look nearly identical, it's hard to tell which it might be. The ripe berry color will separate them -- Gray Dogwood has white berries on reddish stalks and Silky Dogwood has blue or blue-black berries.) All are native and of good value to wildlife, including birds.  It's normal for these dogwoods to have low branches unless they are pruned, but as Len mentions, typically Dogwood is not shaped via pruning into a tree with high-off-the-ground limbs. By increasing the diameter of the mulch ring, you can remove the grass under the plant's branches to eliminate the need for pruning to clear the mower. Otherwise, yes, midwinter pruning would be the best time to trim what is in the way, though try to remove no more than about a quarter of the plant's current canopy amount.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2023, 11:32 AM EDT
response: Hi, Miri.I don't remember what the berries looked like but I'll make a note next time they appear and then I can know for sure which species they are. I'm relieved to not have to prune them; I love how they look; widening the mulched circle is a good (and obvious!) way to make sure they stay safe from the mower. This has been so helpful! Many thanks.On Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 9:29 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 21, 2023, 11:56 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 21, 2023, 1:50 PM EDT
response: Thank you. I knew it a native dogwood but not which one.Sent from my Galaxy-------- Original message --------From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Date: 7/21/23 9:29 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Leonard Friedman <<personal data hidden>> Subject: New Internal Activity Alert