How Do I Get a Wider Canopy on a Tree?

Question

I have a dogwood and several shrubs that grow up, not out. They are several years old. Is there any way I can get the branches to spread out?

Answer 1

Light pruning may help them grow outwards. When you prune, you are taking off the terminal, or main bud on the branch. This forces the branch to grow new branches out from its sides, which often results in a lateral instead of an upward growth.