Kousa Dogwood Tree

Size	Price	Quantity
4-5' (3 Gal.)	$79.95

Kousa Dogwood Tree is an excellent small specimen tree that belongs in any size garden. Two outstanding characteristics of this wonderful tree are the four-petaled, white flowers that appear above the foliage in June and pleasing reddish-purple fall color. Kousa Dogwood Tree this is a hardier substitute for the acid-loving flowering dogwood. The shallow root system will benefit with a layer of mulch to maintain a cool root environment.

Specifications

Growing Zone:	5-8
Mature Height:	20 to 25 feet
Mature Width:	20 to 25 feet
Classification:	Broad Leaved deciduous tree, Flowering Tree
Sunlight:	Full Sun to Part Shade
Habit:	Medium Branching
Foliage:	Green
Flower Color:	White
Pruning Season:	No pruning needed
Soil Condition:	Any well drained soil
Water Requirements:	Water well until established
Uses:	Tolerates all soil types and full sun

We suggest when planting your newly purchased Kousa Dogwood Tree that you dig a hole twice as wide as the root system but not deeper. Depending on the quality of your existing soil you may need to add a locally sourced compost or topsoil to the back-fill soil. We do not recommend using straight topsoil or compost as a back-fill soil because more times than not these products will retain entirely to much moisture and will cause the root system to rot. Adding compost or topsoil will help the young feeder roots of Kousa Dogwood to spread through the loose, nutrient rich soil, much easier than if you used solely the existing soil which more times than not will be hard and compacted. The most common cause of plant death after transplanting is planting the new plant to deep. That is why we do not recommend planting in a hole any deeper than the soil line of the plant in the pot. A good rule is that you should still be able to see the soil the plant was grown in after back-filling the hole. Bio-tone starter fertilizer is a great starter fertilizer that provides plants with mycorrhizae fungus. It is a naturally occuring beneficial fungus that colonizes on the new growing roots of plants. It creates a barrier between the roots of the plant and fungus and pathogens that can cause root rot. We love this product and use it on all plants we install in our own gardens. Bio-tone is a gardeners best friend and can help guarantee your success.

How do I water Kousa Dogwood Trees?

How do I fertilize Kouse Dogwood Trees?

Trees such as Kousa Dogwood Tree grow best if they are fertilized lightly in the spring once frost has passed with a well-balanced, extended-release, fertilizer such as espoma Tree-tone. Fertilize Dogwood Cherokee Brave again 6 to 8 weeks later to encourage denser foliage or faster growth of young trees. Native Dogwoods do prefer a slightly acidic growing environment so the use of an acidic fertilizer such as Holly-Tone by espoma is recommended in areas of the country where the soil tends to have a less than acidic soil profile. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully with Kousa Dogwood Tree. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect. If chemical fertilizers are used on your Kousa Dogwood Tree, applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once a year is probably the simplest solution. There are many slow-release fertilizers on the market. If you can find a fertilizer formulated for shrubs and trees, this fertilizer would work well on Kousa Dogwood Tree. However, slow-release is certainly not the only way to fertilizer trees such as the Kousa Dogwood Tree. A less expensive fast release fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 will work just as well if applied twice during the early spring and early summer. If you are looking for a fertilizing routine tailored to your specific conditions, a soil sample should be taken and the fertilizer and trace elements matched to the needs of your soil. Don't fertilize your Kousa Dogwood Tree after August. Fall is the time for plants to begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. In the South, a late May application and another in July would be about right. More northern areas may wish to fertilize only once in June or July. The amount of chemical fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant and it's root system. (Use less fertilizer for gardenias in a container.) Over-fertilization can be much more detrimental than under-fertilization. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the Kousa Dogwood. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. When roots are burned, the first sign is often scorched looking leaves. If over-fertilization is severe, the plant may just wilt and die. If you are a beginner at growing plants the Kousa Dogwood Tree is one of the easiest trees to grow however it may be helpful to know that a very small plant which is planted in the ground will take about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of fertilizer. A very large tree in the ground will take 2 - 3 lbs spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk). This is a very loose estimate, so please read the directions on the fertilizer before applying it. Never fertilize a plant with a chemical fertilizer if the plant looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to it's life. Try to cure the problem before adding fertilizer.

How do I mulch Kousa Dogwood Trees?

How do I prune Kousa Dogwood Trees?

In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to trees, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified. Pruning has been described as a “combination of art and science.” I find pruning to be one of the most relaxing yet rewarding chores in the garden. Pruning a specific plant to look a specific way, involves art in creating a unique definition for a specific plant, and it involves science in understanding the physical growing habits of the plant to be pruned. The most important reason for pruning tree is to improve the overall health of the plant which in turn will reward you with a abundance of shades. Many times, trees that have not been pruned in a few years will develop dead or degenerative twigs. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “dieback” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies and produce flowers. It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning Kousa Dogwood or any plant for that matter. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened if necessary before pruning any plant. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease investing a cut during pruning. It is generally recommended to not use power equipment such as gas hedgers to prune trees. Pruning large Dogwoods may be minor or major. Its general purpose is to maintain or restore vigor to the plant. Large Kousa Dogwood that have been severely pruned have the advantage of a large root system that has excessive capacity, and its roots are capable of supplying all of its energies to a smaller number of branches and foliage. This enables the plant to increase its vigor, and become healthier. Pruning large Kousa Dogwood that are well established will enable the plant to have continued vigor, and lead to many more years of supplying beauty to the landscape.

Inside Garden Goods

Purchase Recommended Add-ons

Specifications

How do I water Kousa Dogwood Trees?

How do I fertilize Kouse Dogwood Trees?

How do I mulch Kousa Dogwood Trees?

How do I prune Kousa Dogwood Trees?