When to Plant Dogwood Tree

The proper time to plant depends on how the dogwood tree was grown.

Dogwood trees are flowering, understory, ornamental trees native to temperate regions of the Eastern United States. It is possible to plant container grown trees during any season of the year, as long as you follow the planting with regular watering. On the other hand, only plant bare root or balled and burlapped trees while the dogwood tree is dormant. In general, trees are dormant the months of November through March.

Site Selection

Dogwood trees require well-drained soil. Ideally, they prefer moist, nutrient-rich, fertile and slightly acidic soil. Dogwood trees do not tolerate drought, but flourish in partial shade. Too much shade reduces flowering, too much sun produces smaller and more compact tree growth.

Soil Preparation

Dogwood trees in poorly prepared soil do not grow as well or as fast as trees planted in well-prepared soil. If possible, prepare a large planting bed for the dogwood tree and any complimentary forms of shrubs. This provides a larger space for fast root growth and establishment. If planting in a bed is not possible on the site, prepare a hole the exact depth of, but three times the width of the dogwood tree root ball.

Planting

Plant your dogwood tree so that the top of the root ball is level with, or slightly above, the surrounding soil. Back fill the tree hole using native soil amended with organic material. Do not place any soil over the dogwood root ball. Instead, cover the root ball with a 3-inch deep layer of mulch that radiates at least 2 feet in diameter from the base of the tree.

Transplanting from the Wild

Think twice before taking a dogwood from the wild, particularly if the tree has a diameter 1 inch or greater. Dogwood tree roots are shallow and widespread, which makes transplanting large trees difficult. Also, dogwood trees do not adapt well to significant changes in sunlight conditions. For example, a shade-grown, wild tree will exhibit signs of stress if replanted in a full sun location.

References

• University of Florida IFAS; Flowering Dogwood; Edward F. Gilman et al.; October 2003
• NC State University; Flowering Dogwood; Ery Evans
• University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service; Growing Dogwoods; Melvin P. Garber; March 1994