Dogwood under pine tree (landscape, growing, trees, spring)
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We moved into our house two years ago where the previous owners had made some questionable gardening decisions. There is a dogwood tree that was planted about ten feet away from a 25 foot pine tree. It is now growing sideways since it is taller that the lower branches of the pine.
Any suggestions on what to do with the dogwood? Would it be possible to prune it into a shape of a shrub? Transplanting it is not a good option since we don't have space for the tree elsewhere.
Location: ๏̯͡๏﴿ Gwinnett-That's a Civil Matter-County
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Without knowing where you are, what species of pine or even seeing a picture of the problem, the only advice I could give you is to leave it alone. Dogwoods are understory trees and grow naturally under pine trees and other taller trees in the forest. Most pines eventually grow very tall and they drop their lower branches giving more room for trees in the understory to develop. You might even remove the lower branches of the pine but again, not being able to see it, I can't say for sure.
I agree, I would think about trimming out the lower branches of the pine to make some room. They will often die off anyway. Dogwoods are often tough and scrappy looking when they are in the understory...part of their charm, I think.
Dogwoods are understory trees. Dogwoods growing under pines is a part of the quintessential NC landscape around here. They tend to do better in dappled sunlight as opposed to full sun.
Thanks for the input. Here is a picture. I live in the Seattle, WA area. To the left about ten feet is another evergreen tree we planted for privacy. I feel reluctant to trim any branches on the established tree.
Location: ๏̯͡๏﴿ Gwinnett-That's a Civil Matter-County
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Reputation: 3547
Ok well that changes things.
That's not a pine tree. It looks like it could be spruce or douglasfir.
I was thinking you were in the southeast and in the southeast most of the pine species drop their lower branches allowing a very lively understory of small trees and shrubs.
What you have there just looks like they planted the dogwood any ol place without any rhyme or reason. Personally, I'd remove the dogwood and give the conifer room to spread out and give you the privacy you're looking for.
You might decide not to remove it right away... you could give the new one you planted to the left some time to get bigger first.
And I agree, I wouldn't go trimming any branches in this case.
Dogwoods can be problematic trees and that one is not sited well. I'd really not lose too much sleep over taking it out.
This is also an agreement. That's not a pine and it should make a beautiful tree. Don't trim it. Dump the dogwood. Buy another one for somewhere else if you really want one.
rather than removing it I would trim the dogwood tree.
you do have to pick the right time to do that and middle of summer is not it.
very early spring perhaps, you have nothing to loose by trying this.
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