Dogwood Tree Care & Varieties Tree Varieties Caring for Your Dogwood Tree The flowering dogwood tree is a favorite ornamental among homeowners due to its year round appeal, unique branching structure and modest size. In the early spring, beautiful flowers bloom consisting of four white, pink or red bracts with clusters of small yellow flowers in the center. In fall, leaves and fruit are a stunning bright red/purple. Winter interest includes the presence of large flattened buds accented by a dark gray, brown or black alligator-skin like bark. Dogwood trees are certainly a lovely landscape specimen. Planting Your Dogwood Tree Planting a flowering dogwood, such as Cornus florida, is a beautiful way to bring color and elegance to your garden. When growing dogwood, choose a location with well-drained soil, partial sun, and protection from harsh wind to reduce damage. Dogwood trees thrive in slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Dogwood trees can be grown from seed or cutting, though some gardeners prefer selecting cultivars for reliable bloom and foliage traits. Before planting, inspect the root ball and ensure it's moist and healthy. Dig a hole at least two to three times as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than its height. Loosen the root system gently before placing it in the hole. Backfill with soil and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature. For a more comprehensive step-by-step guide, learn more about how to plant a tree. Dogwood Tree Care Dogwood trees do require some special care to help them thrive as they are fragile and susceptible to mechanical injuries and several insect and disease conditions. Fungicide application can help prevent diseases and horticultural oils at the beginning of the season should be used to smother scale insects and reduce overwintering population of aphid and mite eggs. Watering Your Dogwood Tree Proper watering is essential to help your dogwood thrive in your garden or yard. Whether you plant a dogwood tree in spring, summer, or fall, consistent moisture supports healthy root development and encourages vibrant bloom and foliage. After planting, focus on keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Young or newly grown trees need regular watering, especially during dry season periods. Established flowering dogwood trees—cultivars known for their white, pink, or red flowers—still benefit from occasional deep watering during drought or extreme heat. Morning is the best time to water, as it allows leaves and bark to dry quickly, reducing the risk of disease. Watering in the morning also helps avoid rapid evaporation, which often occurs during the heat of the day—ensuring that more moisture reaches the roots where it's needed most. They also require soil rich with organic matter to flourish. Providing the proper nutrients and care will help them succeed. Regular fertilization, watering and pruning helps keep trees healthy and better able to tolerate stress and insect and disease conditions. Fertilizing Your Dogwood Tree To keep your dogwood healthy and vibrant, proper fertilization is key. Newly planted dogwoods benefit from ArborKelp®, SavATree’s exclusive seaweed biostimulant which aids in tree establishment, promotes root growth and heightens stress tolerance. Mature and established trees benefit from fertilizer feedings of organic-based macro and micronutrients for the nutrition necessary to sustain their health. Planting in the right place with quality soil, sun, and good drainage further enhances results. Once your dogwood is matured, shift to seasonal feeding with organic-based macro and micronutrients. An ISA Certified Arborist can create a personalized plant health care program to help sustain bark health, vibrant leaves, and berries, especially in fall and winter. Healthy dogwoods are more resistant to disease and damage and are more likely to bloom fully each year. Dogwood Tree Pruning Pruning is recommended to preserve or improve tree structure, vigor and life-span. Tree pruning can reduce specific defects or structural problems in a tree to greatly lessen the risk of failure. Broken, diseased, or dead branches are typically removed in order to prevent decay-producing fungi from infecting the wood in other areas of the tree. Removal of live branches is occasionally necessary to allow increased exposure to sunlight and circulation of air within the canopy. This assists in reduction of certain diseases. We also advocate the removal of branch stubs to promote successful and proper healing over of wounds. Your SavATree certified arborist is equipped with the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to keep your dogwood trees healthy, beautiful and safe. Contact us today for information on pruning or any of our other tree care services. Dogwood Tree Diseases There are several damaging diseases that affect dogwood trees. Some of the most common are: Dogwood Anthracnose – This serious disease is difficult to control. Dogwood anthracnose causes stem cankers and large, purple-bordered leaf spots. Tan splotches may develop which will kill the whole leaf. Infected trees eventually die. Septoria Leafspot – This infection usually occurs in July and causes small, purple lesions or spots on leaves. Berries can be blackened. Spot Anthracnose – This dogwood disease attacks flower bracts (petals) eventually spreading to leaves, shoots and fruit. Look for reddish-purple spots in early spring. A severe infection will cause flower bracts to fall prematurely. Other dogwood tree diseases include: Basal trunk canker Mistletoe Root rot Powdery mildew Many of these insect and disease conditions can weaken the tree and lead to tree death if not treated. If you suspect a problem with your trees, call a SavATree certified arborist right away for an evaluation and treatment options. Our dogwood tree care experts can help protect your trees and keep your landscape beautiful. Photo by: Pat-Breen,Oregon-UniversityDiseased photo: Dogwood anthracnose 5334048 by Mary Ann Hansen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org Other Common Tree Varieties in the US Apple Trees Ash Trees Birch Trees Cherry Trees Common Persimmon Trees Elm Trees Japanese Maple Trees Leyland Cypress Trees Lilac Trees Maple Trees Oak Trees Pine Trees Plum Trees Sycamore Trees White Oak Trees Willow Trees Common US Tree Varieties Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.