I Thought Our Flowering Dogwood Plantings Were Trees. Now There Are 3 Thick Stems. How Do I Get It Back To A Bush Rising From The

Question

ground, not these big stems? The new growth comes off these stems in different directions and are weak. They fall to the ground. Last year I pruned to about four inches off the ground.

Answer 1

Flowering dogwoods don't need much pruning. Cutting them to the ground should have caused them to regrow more like shrubs. Are the three thick stems three different trees? Your best bet may be to start over with new trees in an understory location in part sun. Here is more on pruning them:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/trimming-dogwood-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/caring-dogwood-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/crown-canker-on-dogwood.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-shrub-like-dogwoods.htm

Answer 2

Flowering dogwoods don't need much pruning. Cutting them to the ground should have caused them to regrow more like shrubs. Are the three thick stems three different trees? Your best bet may be to start over with new trees in an understory location in part sun. Here is more on pruning them:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/trimming-dogwood-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/caring-dogwood-trees.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/crown-canker-on-dogwood.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/growing-shrub-like-dogwoods.htm