Kousa Dogwood, also known as Chinese Dogwood or Japanese Dogwood, is a small ornamental tree that produces beautiful white or pink flowers in late spring and early summer. Pruning is an essential aspect of Kousa Dogwood care to ensure their optimal growth and appearance. However, pruning can be challenging for many people who do not know how to prune a Kousa Dogwood properly.
In this blog post, we will discuss the steps you need to follow when pruning a Kousa dogwood tree.
When Should You Prune A Kousa Dogwood?
The best time to prune your Kousa dogwoods is during winter dormancy (late fall through early spring) before new growth begins. During this time, the leaves have fallen off from the branches giving you better visibility of the structure of the tree’s framework.
Pruning Techniques for kousa dogwoods
There are two types of pruning techniques: thinning cuts and heading cuts. Thinning cuts remove entire branches back to their point of origin while heading cuts cut branches back partially without removing them entirely.
Thinning Cuts
To make thinning cuts on your Kousa dogwoods:
Identify dead or diseased wood: Start by inspecting your trees thoroughly for any signs of dead or diseased branch sections that require removal. These kinds of limbs won’t grow back anyway and can potentially infect other parts of your plant if left untouched.
Remove Crisscrossing Limbs: Crosses over each other weakens both limbs due to improper sun exposure which causes stunted growth and poor health in long run. So it’s wise enough to remove one up high above where they cross each other so that sufficient light gets into all areas.
Trim Out Rubbing Branches: Occasionally rubbing branches create wounds on bark which make it easier for pest infestations later on so trim those away too!
Heading Cuts
Heading cuts are best suited for aesthetic purposes since they only trim off a part of the branch, allowing you to shape your Kousa Dogwood into the desired form.
To make heading cuts:
Choose The Right Time: After winter dormancy period completes and new growth starts to emerge is when it’s safe to make heading cuts. You should avoid making these types of cuts in late summer or early fall since that can attract pests.
Identify Where To Cut: Take note of where you want your plant to grow and cut just above that point if you’re trying to encourage upward growth or at a 45-degree angle from the bud if you want lateral branches instead.
Sterilize Tools Before And After Use
Using dirty pruning tools can infect your tree with diseases, so ensure they are clean before use. Sterilization methods include wiping them down with rubbing alcohol, running them through hot water, or using bleach solutions as directed by manufacturer instructions.
Conclusion
Pruning Kousa dogwoods may seem like a daunting task but following these steps will help ensure healthy growth and maintain their beautiful appearance. It’s important not to over-prune during any season since this may stress out the tree leading it towards death. So taking time and doing it right is crucial!
