Pagoda Dogwood Growth After Selective Pruning - August 2025
It may be hard to see in the photo below, but the Pagoda Dogwood tree (a native tree) that we have in our backyard had a big 'leap' year in terms of growth. The past few seasons, I've been doing what I call 'selective pruning' of this tree where I shorten the length of each of the limbs that radiate out from the apical meristem (or trunk). Our tree seems to want to grow almost bush-like or shrub-like. A big puff-ball of foliage. But, I want it to get taller, hence the pruning back of the limbs. But, I've learned long ago, that you can't stimulate a young, non-mature tree to grow taller by simply pruning back all of the lower limbs. The tree needs foliage to grow. That whole 'solar panel effect' - is how the tree collects energy via its leaves. So, what have I been doing? Just pruning the tips. Take the final foot-or-so off the ends. Leave the rest. And, the tree seems to respond well to that seasonal pruning....