Dogwood
plant pauper
Posts: 6,234
in Plants
I have the biggest dogwood in the world and it's a sight.
It's about 50ft x30ft.
What's the worst that could happen if I cut it down to stumps at this time of year?
I know I'll miss the Autumn colour and all that but I'm past caring. I just need to make it smaller and see what lies behind and beneath. There's one of the big ugly pines down behind it (see "plants for the compost heap" thread) and I can't get near it to clear it away. There are also big stones around it and I can't mow or strim properly.
Some of it has reverted too so that bit'll have to go.
Will I kill it if I hack it to pieces?
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Sounds like you're not really that bothered if it doesn't survive
.Look on it as an opportunity for something different.
I'd rather it didn't; I have enough to do but I'd like it tidied up a bit.
So THAT's why they call it dogwood
Notice she has her eyes closed. She always does that when she poses!
Why not hedge your bets (pun intended) and cut most of it down but leave a few 'stands' ? That way you can guarantee it won't all die.
Hi BTG. I was talking about you earlier.
I might just do that. I made a little hole in it last year and it seemed to like it.
I think I need to introduce it to my little chainsaw.
Me too.
I agree with Bob. Cut most of it right to the ground but leave a part of it standing. If it was me I'd start from the outside and work my way in to leave a nice small bit in the centre. You may weaken it that way but probably won't kill it as long as there's some leaf left.
I'll have a go tomorrow if it stops raining and see how I get on. Thanks all.
I had a stand nearly as big as that of the variegated one, growing in a boggy part of the garden. I cut it all down about 3 years ago, keeping just one nicely shaped bush at the end and replanting a couple of bits elsewhere, where they could lighten a shady spot.
I dug out all the roots and have converted the area into a boggy border and some slightly damp grass. Have only a small amount of stone edging to finish, but noticed today some shoots from a bit of root I'd missed. So you are very unlikely to kill it. I've had it grow roots from a bit I'd stuck in a pot at C.....mas to provide a bit of colour!
Last edited: 15 June 2017 22:58:27
This is extremely likely to contain nesting birds at this time of year - legally nests must not be damaged or destroyed.
Dogwood is very vigorous and will regrow for sure whatever time of year you cut it, but I fail to see what you hope to achieve by hacking it down. Looks fine to me.