Last Updated on May 9, 2022 by Griselda M.
In this article, we will focus on how to grow a dogwood tree from a branch and how to do it in the perfect way possible.
This is a guide on how to grow a dogwood tree from a branch. Dogwood is a shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall, with spreading branches. The leaves are compound, 5-lobed, and alternate. The flowers are white and fragrant. The root system is shallow, fibrous, and woody.
Dogwood trees grow best in full sun. They thrive on average in slightly acidic soil with a well-drained, loamy or sandy loam texture. Dogwoods do not like wet, heavy soils.
Their soil should be kept consistently moist but never saturated. They prefer to grow in the northern parts of the United States and Canada.
The dogwood tree is often used for landscaping. It is a great choice for an accent plant in front of a home or as a small specimen tree. It is also a popular shrub for creating formal borders and hedges. The shrub is also used for erosion control and as a windbreak.
The flowers of the dogwood tree are typically in full bloom during late spring and early summer. The fruit ripens from mid-summer to mid-fall. Dogwood trees grow best from cuttings taken from the growing tips of branches.
The growth rate of dogwood cuttings is slow but steady. They grow in about 8 weeks. Let’s learn how to grow a dogwood tree from a branch.
How to Grow a Dogwood Tree From a Branch?
Growing a dogwood tree from a branch is easy. There are many ways to do it. It’s not complicated and you can choose what you like best. It takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
First of all, you should know that dogwood is a deciduous tree. So, it has a season when it grows and another when it’s dormant. In spring, it starts to grow, and in autumn, it’s dormant.
Step 1: Source for the right branch
To get a healthy plant out of a branch it is important to source a healthy well-grown plant.
Step 2: Cut the branch and set it for rooting
A dogwood tree is a deciduous tree. This means that it has two seasons, summer and winter. Summer is the time when it grows, and autumn is the time when it’s dormant. So, it means that it’s time to cut your dogwood branch during its dormant season.
Step 3: Clean the branch
First of all, you need to clean the branch. You can do this by removing any kind of twigs or leaves that are attached to the branch. It can be done with a pair of pruners or scissors.
Step 4: Place the branch in a pot
To do this, first of all, you need to make sure that the branch is clean and free from leaves or twigs. Next, you need to place the branch in a pot. It should have good drainage holes. To keep the branch hydrated, you should use a water container or a bucket.
Step 5: Provide it with the best potting soil
It needs rich, loose, well-draining soil that is also slightly acidic to help prevent root rot.
Step 6: Plant the tree in full sun and water regularly
Especially during the first few months of growth. It will need at least an inch of water per week for the first year, then every 2 to 3 weeks after that. You need to water your dogwood tree every day or two.
You can use a drip irrigation system or simply water it from a bucket. This will help the tree develop roots and leaves.
Step 7: Wait. It takes time for the plant to grow
In fact, it can take up to four years to grow. So, you should be patient. It’s not something that you can do overnight.
Step 8: Prune it
As much as you let it grow, you can’t just let it grow, or else you’ll have a mess on your hands. Instead, you need to prune the plant. That’s the only way you’re going to keep the plant under control.
Caring For a Growing Dogwood Tree
Growing your dogwood tree will require a good amount of care. It is important to provide it with the right care and maintenance so that it thrives. The required care includes:
Proper soil preparation
The best way to prepare the soil for your dogwood is to dig a hole twice as deep as the root ball and at least three times as wide as the root ball.
Watering the tree
Make sure that the tree gets water regularly, preferably once a day, but not too much water, as excess water can cause rot in the roots of the tree. Pruning. If you notice that one of your branches are getting weaker, then prune it back. This will make it easier for the tree to grow.
Maintaining a consistent feeding schedule
To keep your tree healthy, make sure that you give it the right amount of nutrients. You can use a fertilizer that is specifically made for trees, but if you do not have that kind of option, you can use regular vegetable fertilizer. If you need to change the soil of your tree, be sure to dig the hole deeper and wider so that the roots can take hold of the new soil.
Final Words
How to grow a dogwood tree from a branch is easy for any gardener to do. The process is simple and takes only a few weeks, which means you can enjoy your new tree in a few years’ time and for the holidays to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I take cuttings from dogwood?
Cuttings can be taken from dogwoods at any time of the year, but you should be aware that the plant will not flower and set seed until the following spring. This is because dogwood buds are long-lived and take a long time to mature. It is better to wait until early summer when the new leaves have appeared on the plants before taking cuttings.
Can you root a dogwood branch in water?
Yes, this is the most common way of propagating dogwoods. The roots of dogwoods are shallow and grow very slowly, so it is usually easier to cut back the plants and propagate from a piece of stem or leaf.
Should you soak bare root trees before planting?
You don't need to soak bare-rooted dogwoods before planting them. If you do want to give your plant a boost of moisture, you can dip the roots in water slightly before planting. This will encourage the roots to grow faster and reach for the surface of the soil sooner.
How long does a bare root tree take to grow?
A bare root tree takes three to six months to become established. It's important to remember that these trees are not always easy to find, so be patient. You might have to travel out of state or across the country to find the right one. Once you get the tree home, it will take several years before it produces flowers and fruits.