Dogwood Tree Not Flowering

Question

My dogwood was a gift from a sister-in-law and was in her woods in N.C. It has grown to about 20 feet, with multiple trunks and thick growth and leaves instead of flowers. Should I remove some of the limb this winter? Flowers are not very noticeable because of the very thick leaves.

Answer 1

It sounds like this is a nitrogen issue. I would recommend having your soil tested. It will likely find that the soil is very high in nitrogen. It makes for lush growth with few flowers.

I will even hazard a guess that your dogwood is planted on your lawn and you regularly fertilize your lawn. Lawn fertilizer is very high in nitrogen.

If this is the case, try to keep the lawn fertilizer away from where the tree grows and fertilize around the tree with a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorous. That will help increase blooming.

Here are some articles you may find helpful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-soil.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/understanding-nitrogen-requirements-for-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-not-flowering.htm