Germination of the seeds occurs the following spring. The best natural seed beds are moist, well-drained, rich loams. Dogwoods can reproduce vegetatively through suckers, sprouts, and root shoots. They seem to grow best in areas of intermediate light intensity, although they can survive both in direct sunlight and as an understory plant. The seeds are usually dispersed by wind and water.
Asexual reproduction can take place by suckers, sprouts, and root shoots.
Saplings flourish in damp, well-lit areas. Cottonwood and willow are shade-intolerant, and do not compete well under dense forest canopies. Some willows and cottonwood are occasionally considered problem plants that alter wetlands by limiting herbaceous undergrowth. Once in the sapling stage, these woody plants are difficult to eradicate. When choosing a control strategy for willow, cottonwood, boxelder, or dogwood, it is important that the habitat manager carefully observe the life-history responses of the trees or shrubs within the target region, because responses may vary from region to region, affecting the success of management manipulations.