How To Get Rid Of Dogwood

You can get rid of dogwood by attacking it with a combination of persistent physical removal and targeted herbicide applications.
 
If you’ve got dogwood shrubs or saplings taking over your yard, you know how frustrating this aggressive plant can be.
 
Getting rid of dogwood isn’t a one-and-done job, but with the right strategy, you can clear it out for good.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the most effective ways to get rid of dogwood, from manual pulling to chemical control.
 
We’ll also cover why dogwood is so tough and how to keep it from coming back.
 
Let’s dig into how to get rid of dogwood so you can reclaim your landscape.
 

Why Dogwood Is So Hard To Get Rid Of

Dogwood is tougher than most weeds because it doesn’t just grow from seeds, it spreads through an underground root system.
 
When you cut down a dogwood tree or shrub, the roots stay alive and send up new shoots.
 
This is why simply chopping it down won’t help you get rid of dogwood permanently.
 
The plant’s roots can travel far from the main trunk, popping up in new spots across your lawn.
 
Also, dogwood seeds can lay dormant in the soil for years, waiting for the right conditions to sprout.
 
Understanding this growth habit is the first step to effectively getting rid of dogwood.
 

1. The Root System Keeps Regrowing

The biggest hurdle when you get rid of dogwood is the root system’s ability to regenerate.
 
Even a small piece of root left in the soil can produce a brand new plant.
 
So if you pull up the visible growth but miss the roots, you’ll see dogwood return within weeks.
 
This is why a single method rarely works for getting rid of dogwood.
 
You need to combine approaches that target both the top growth and the roots underground.
 

2. Seeds Spread Easily

Dogwood produces berries that birds love to eat, and those birds spread the seeds everywhere.
 
When you get rid of dogwood, you also need to remove any berries or seed pods before they drop.
 
If you leave them, you’ll be fighting new seedlings for years to come.
 
So while you’re clearing mature dogwood, be diligent about picking up fallen berries.
 
That simple step can dramatically reduce future outbreaks.
 

Best Methods To Get Rid Of Dogwood

Now that you understand the enemy, let’s talk about the actual methods to get rid of dogwood.
 
Each technique works best for different sizes and situations.
 
You might need to combine a few of these for the best results.
 
Here are the most effective ways to get rid of dogwood for good.
 

1. Hand Pulling For Small Dogwood

For young dogwood seedlings, hand pulling can work if you do it right.
 
The key is to pull when the soil is moist, which makes it easier to get the roots out.
 
Grab the stem as close to the ground as possible and pull slowly and steadily.
 
You want to remove the entire root, not just snap the top off.
 
If the root breaks, you’ll have to dig it out or the dogwood will regrow.
 
For small patches, hand pulling is a great way to get rid of dogwood without chemicals.
 

2. Digging Out The Roots

When dogwood gets bigger, you’ll need a shovel to get rid of dogwood effectively.
 
Dig a circle around the base of the shrub, about a foot away from the stems.
 
This helps you find the lateral roots that spread out from the main clump.
 
Follow each root and pull it out of the ground, cutting any stubborn pieces with loppers.
 
Be thorough here because missing even a small root segment means dogwood will come back.
 
This method is labor-intensive but very effective for getting rid of dogwood.
 

3. Cutting And Painting With Herbicide

For larger dogwood trunks, cutting alone won’t get rid of dogwood.
 
You’ll need to use a herbicide right after cutting.
 
Cut the dogwood stem as low to the ground as you can get it.
 
Then, within 30 seconds, apply a glyphosate or triclopyr herbicide to the fresh cut.
 
This technique makes the herbicide travel down into the root system.
 
It’s one of the most reliable ways to get rid of dogwood because it kills the roots, not just the top.
 

4. Foliar Spray For Dense Patches

If you have a large thicket of dogwood, spraying the leaves is your best bet.
 
Use a herbicide that’s labeled for brush control and mix it according to the instructions.
 
Spray on a calm, dry day when the dogwood is actively growing.
 
The herbicide gets absorbed by the leaves and moves down to the roots.
 
This method can take a couple of weeks to show results, but it’s effective.
 
However, be careful not to overspray onto desirable plants nearby.
 

5. Smothering With Mulch Or Plastic

For areas where you don’t mind killing everything, smothering works well.
 
Cut the dogwood down to ground level and cover the area with thick black plastic.
 
Weigh down the edges so no light can get through.
 
This will eventually kill the roots from lack of energy, but it takes months.
 
You can also layer heavy cardboard and mulch to get rid of dogwood organically.
 
This method is slow, but it’s chemical-free and effective for getting rid of dogwood.
 

When To Get Rid Of Dogwood For Best Results

Timing matters a lot when you get rid of dogwood.
 
The best time is late summer to early fall.
 
During this period, dogwood is moving sugars down to its roots for winter storage.
 
Herbicides applied at this time are more effective because they get transported to the roots faster.
 
Spring is the second-best time, but you’ll need to reapply as new growth appears.
 
Avoid trying to get rid of dogwood during a drought because the plant won’t absorb chemicals well.
 
Also, don’t treat dogwood right before rain, as the herbicide will wash off.
 

1. Late Summer Is Prime Time

Late summer is when dogwood is most vulnerable to chemical control.
 
The plant is preparing for dormancy and pulling nutrients back into its roots.
 
So when you apply herbicide, it goes straight to where it needs to work.
 
This makes late summer the ideal season to get rid of dogwood.
 

2. Avoid Spring Pruning Alone

Many folks try to get rid of dogwood by just pruning it in spring.
 
But that only stimulates more vigorous regrowth.
 
Spring pruning can actually make your dogwood problem worse.
 
If you must cut in spring, immediately follow up with herbicide on the cut stumps.
 

So, How To Get Rid Of Dogwood For Good?

To get rid of dogwood for good, you need to kill the entire root system, not just the visible growth.
 
That means combining physical removal with chemical treatment for the best outcome.
 
Use cutting and painting for large trunks, digging for medium shrubs, and hand pulling for seedlings.
 
Then, stay vigilant and check the area every few weeks for any new shoots.
 
When you see regrowth, treat it right away before it gets established.
 
Getting rid of dogwood is a process, but with persistence, you can win the battle.
 
Just remember that dogwood seeds in the soil will keep sprouting for a few years.
 
So you’ll need to stay on top of new seedlings as they appear.
 
With these strategies, you now know how to get rid of dogwood and keep it away.
 
Go ahead and start your dogwood removal plan today, because the sooner you act, the easier it gets.