Isanti dogwood

Question: this is a 20+ year old plant, we left it alone for 4 years then began to prune it every spring, cutting out 1/3 of the oldest branches to within 6 inches of the ground.  For the first time ever [all the rain?] it is not holding it's own branches up.  What to do?  If we prune it all back to about 2 feet, will it be bushy and vigorous again?

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied August 25, 2024, 4:46 PM EDT
response: When you do that amount of drastic pruning, the oldest stems should have been cut to the ground to encourage new ones.  Leaving 6 inches only encouraged it to branch out giving you what you see now.  When leaves drop this fall and you are able to see the shape of the shrub, you can prune off the stems that have branched out so far.  Then shape it by pruning back the side branching to an acceptable form.  Or, you can cut the entire shrub to the ground and have all new growth next spring.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 31, 2024, 9:33 AM EDT
response: so, are re-reading your response and still puzzling over best way to proceed after leaves are dropped.  If all the stems that have branched out so far are all that is left of the shrub, then we cut it all back down to the ground.  And if there are still some up-right stems left, we trim off the side branches of those to encourage a more upright form?  I can't tell you how many classes we've taken on pruning & it just escapes us!  You guys should hire out as pruners!

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied August 31, 2024, 11:50 AM EDT
response: I will start over.  The stems that you cut back to 6" should now be cut to the ground, which is what was supposed to have been done originally.  Topping them only promoted a lot of side branching.  Now,once they are out of there, take a good look at your shrub. The remaining pruning should be done late winter.  If you wish, you can cut the entire shrub to the ground or you can just thin it.  If you wish, you can trim the remaining stems back to shorten the shrub.  Do not go in and cut off side branches.  Here is a link from UMN on pruning.  After discussing pruning tools, the first shrubs they demonstrate are dogwoods.  The first is cutting it to the ground.  The second shrub is thinned.  Having actual photos should be helpful for you.  Good luck.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 01, 2024, 2:51 PM EDT
response: thanks.  Will you send the link please, nothing included in your email.  Thanks again On Sat, Aug 31, 2024 at 10:50 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied September 01, 2024, 9:08 PM EDT
response: This link is to that page.  As you go down the page, you will see the video.  Click on the arrow: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/pruning-trees-and-shrubs

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 08, 2024, 8:49 AM EDT
response: Well, sorry, but I just watched the video & this is all about pruning a young maple tree. Not sure why they've titled it pruning trees & shrubs.  I've clicked on every link in the article & there is nothing mentioned about pruning shrubs except if being used for a hedge, and the general timing if a blooming variety etc.  I'll check out you tube to see if I can find anything more species specific.  Thanks On Sun, Sep 1, 2024 at 8:08 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied September 08, 2024, 10:37 PM EDT
response: My apologies.  I just went to that link and the one you referred to came up.  When I tried to find it again on our Extension website, there is a note that there was a problem with the video and referred going to the one you saw.  Apparently the one I saw, which was on that link, has been taken down until the video is fixed.  There honestly was one that first showed the actual tools and then the first shrub pruned was a dogwood. The video basically showed first of all cutting the entire shrub to the ground in late winter/early spring.  Or, doing the rejuvenation pruning where the older, large stems where taken to the ground leaving only younger, straight stems with good air circulation.  Sorry to have wasted your time.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 09, 2024, 7:54 AM EDT
response: that'll teach me not to procrastinate!  I'll save your emails with the link and check back periodically to see if/when the video gets fixed.  Thanks again. On Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 9:37 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: