Flowering dogwoods are small trees, which is a big part of their appeal. They fit into front yards, beside patios and at the edge of a woodland where a shade tree would be far too large. Still, they get wider than most people expect, and they grow slowly, so it pays to plan the spot for the size they will be in 20 years.
The short answer: flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) typically grows 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide in home landscapes, and can reach about 40 feet in shady woods. It grows slowly, around 20 feet in 25 years. Kousa dogwood reaches a similar 20 to 30 feet tall and wide. Give a dogwood at least 10 to 15 feet from walls and plenty of room to spread sideways.
Dogwood sizes at a glance
| Dogwood | Mature height | Mature width | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) | 15 to 30 ft | 15 to 25 ft | University of Maryland Extension |
| Flowering dogwood | 20 to 40 ft | about 20 ft | Morton Arboretum |
| Flowering dogwood in sun vs. shade | 15 to 20 ft in sun; up to 40 ft in shade | Spread may exceed height | Clemson Extension |
| Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) | 20 to 30 ft | 21 to 30 ft | Morton Arboretum |
| Kousa dogwood | 15 to 30 ft | 15 to 30 ft | Clemson Extension |
The ranges differ because size depends heavily on climate, light and soil. Clemson Extension notes that flowering dogwoods in full sun tend to stay 15 to 20 feet, while trees in the shade of a forest can stretch to 40 feet.
How fast do dogwoods grow?
Slowly to moderately. Clemson Extension estimates about 20 feet in 25 years. A young tree from the nursery may grow only a foot or so a year once established, and less in poor conditions. That slow pace means a dogwood will stay in scale with a small garden for a long time.
Shape
Flowering dogwood develops a low, spreading, rounded crown with distinctive horizontal layers of branches. The spread is often equal to or greater than the height, so a 20-foot-tall tree may be 20 to 25 feet wide. Clemson notes it is often grown with multiple trunks but can be trained to a single short trunk.
Kousa dogwood is more upright and vase-shaped when young, becoming rounder with age.
What affects the final size
- Light. Partial shade suits flowering dogwood best. Full sun keeps trees smaller but also stresses them. The University of Maryland notes they do not tolerate full sun or hot, dry sites well.
- Soil. Moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH about 5.6 to 6.5) gives the best growth. The Morton Arboretum notes flowering dogwood develops problems in heavy clay and becomes chlorotic in high pH soil.
- Climate. Trees in the warm, humid Southeast often grow larger than those near the northern edge of their range, where the Morton Arboretum notes flowering dogwood is borderline hardy.
- Cultivar. Some cultivars are more compact. Check the label for the specific cultivar’s mature size.
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Can you keep a dogwood smaller?
Only a little. Dogwoods do not respond well to heavy pruning or topping, and big cuts heal slowly and invite disease. Light pruning right after flowering can remove a low or wayward branch, but it will not turn a 25-foot tree into a 10-foot one. If space is tight, choose a naturally compact cultivar or a smaller shrub dogwood instead.
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Choosing a spot
- Allow for the spread. Plan for at least 20 to 25 feet of width for a typical tree.
- Keep it off the house. Plant at least 10 to 15 feet from walls, measured from the trunk.
- Think about light. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for flowering dogwood. Kousa dogwood handles more sun.
- Avoid lawns if you can. Dogwoods are shallow-rooted and compete poorly with turfgrass, the University of Maryland notes. A mulched bed works better.
- Look up. A 25-foot tree can still reach low utility lines. Keep it out from under wires.
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Planting and early care
Clemson Extension calls fall the best time to plant dogwoods. Plant at the correct depth with the root flare visible, mulch up to 3 inches deep without touching the trunk and water through the first two summers. The University of Maryland recommends checking the soil 4 to 6 inches down each week for the first two years and watering when it is dry.
Flowering dogwood or kousa?
| Flowering dogwood | Kousa dogwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Native to | Eastern North America | Japan, Korea, China |
| Bloom time | Early to mid spring, before leaves | Late spring, after leaves |
| Sun tolerance | Prefers part shade | More tolerant of sun and dry conditions |
| Disease | More prone to anthracnose and powdery mildew | More resistant |
| Wildlife value | High; berries eaten by native birds | Lower, according to UMD |
For care, see how and when to prune a dogwood and why a dogwood isn’t blooming.
Sources
- Growing Flowering Dogwood Trees, University of Maryland Extension
- Dogwood, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC
- Flowering Dogwood, The Morton Arboretum
- Kousa Dogwood, The Morton Arboretum
Top photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons