I live in northern Michigan. We get snow and below zero F. temps. How do I prepare my little tree for winter? We planted it in May.
Dogwood Trees are hardy in zones 5 thru 9.
Depending on how far North you are you may be down into the zone 4 range.
Even in zones 5 the Dogwood Trees can have trouble surviving the cold.
You can try mulching and adding some protection to the tree with straw bales, but your tree may not survive.
Here are some links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/caring-dogwood-trees.htm
http://extension.illinois.edu/treeselector/detail_plant.cfm?PlantID=592
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/planting-zones/michigan-planting-zones.htm
My dogwood tree doesn't flower in spring so I thought fertilizing with compost might help. Thank you.
There can be a few reasons that your tree is not blooming.
Here are some links that will help you pinpoint the issue.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-not-flowering.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/fertilizing-dogwood-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/trimming-dogwood-trees.htm
Should I cover my young, 5 year old dogwood tree (first full spring and now winter in the ground)? It looks like the deer have been eating the leaves and some of the top limbs.
Yes, covering your dogwood during its first winter in the ground is a good idea. You can do this by mulching over the roots and using one of the methods suggested in this article:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/wrapping-plants-in-burlap.htm
I am wondering if anyone can help me identify this shrub. It's growing in part shade and the deer don't bother it, which is a good thing, so I'm wanting to plant some more.
This is a Variegated Dogwood.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/red-twig-dogwood-care.htm
Do they require sun or shade? How tall do they grow?
Dogwoods vary considerably depending on the species, variety, cultivar, or hybrid that you have. But generally they like a moderate amount of sun.
Follow these instructions per GardeningKnowHow.com: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/caring-dogwood-trees.htm
I have read much about taking off branches and healing the tree. I wonder if there is not more going on here. And I wonder where to actually prune as this just seems to be bigger than a dying branch, as possibly a quarter to a third of the bark around the main trunk is gone or seems loose. What to do?
It would appear that the bark peeling is due to some disease or pest issue with your tree.
You may want to have the tree inspected by a certified Arborist to determine the best coarse of action.
Here are some links with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/common-dogwood-problems.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-bark-peeling.htm
We moved to our home almost 3 summers ago. The first spring we were here the red dogwood had 6 blooms and they were a beautiful dark red. Last spring it had 2 blooms. This year I don't see any little bloom buds on the tree but the tree looks healthy. The white dogwood nearby looks as if it is going to bloom and is covered in bloom buds. Any idea what the problem could be?
There can be several reasons for the lack of flowering.
This article will help you pinpoint the reason.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/dogwood/dogwood-tree-not-flowering.htm