Dogwood Tree Care Planting

To get the most out of your new dogwood trees here are some planting tips.

Dogwood tree care planting. Leave the very top of the root ball exposed. For container grown dogwoods loosen the root ball with a soil knife to prevent the roots from continuing to grow in the circular shape of the pot. When you re ready to plant dig your hole two times bigger and deeper than the root ball. Plant the tree in an area with filtered light or underneath the canopies of larger trees where the dogwood will receive partial shade.

Dogwood trees should have their crown set slightly above the soil not below. When planting set the root ball in the hole and be sure the top of the root ball is about 1 4 above ground. First remember that dogwood trees prefer full sun to part shade anywhere from 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily is ideal. Mulch your dogwood tree.

Container grown trees can be transplanted anytime of the year provided they are watered regularly after planting. Do not plant the tree in full sun conditions or it will die. Water your newly planted dogwood tree until it is well established and mulch to help your tree retain moisture. Like most dogwoods these trees enjoy a spot with rich moist soil in full sun to partial shade.

For bare root dogwoods soak the roots in a bucket of water prior to planting. Dogwood trees cornus florida are native to eastern portions of the u s. Use the right planting technique. Replace the soil around the root ball carefully and make sure the soil has been loosened to allow for good drainage around the roots.

If your soil doesn t meet these conditions amend it with compost before planting your dogwood. Dogwoods need slightly acidic well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Dogwoods grown in containers can be planted or transplanted any time of the year with regular watering while bare root or burlap dogwood trees should only be transplanted in the late fall or early spring when it s less likely that you ll lose them to a sudden frost. Create a berm of soil around the outer edge of the root ball to hold water.

A dogwood should be planted about two thirds the depth of its root ball. Plant your dogwood tree about two thirds of the depth of the root ball. Dig a hole about three times the size of the root ball on your sapling but keep the depth the same. Late fall or winter when the dogwood tree is dormant is the best time to prune.

When it comes to planting dogwood kousa trees it all begins with the soil.