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You can get rid of dogwood shrubs through a combination of mechanical removal, chemical application, and persistent follow-up monitoring.
Getting rid of dogwood shrubs is a common challenge for homeowners who find these aggressive native plants taking over their yards, gardens, and woodland edges.
If you’ve been struggling to get rid of dogwood shrubs, you know they can be incredibly stubborn because of their dense root systems and ability to resprout from any leftover fragment.
But don’t worry, there are proven methods to get rid of dogwood shrubs effectively, whether you’re dealing with a few scattered plants or a thicket that’s gotten out of hand.
The key to successfully getting rid of dogwood shrubs lies in understanding their growth habits and choosing the right removal strategy for your specific situation.
In this post, we’ll cover the most reliable ways to get rid of dogwood shrubs, including manual digging, herbicide treatments, and long-term prevention so these hardy plants don’t come back to haunt you.
Let’s dig into the details and help you reclaim your landscape for good.
Why It’s So Hard To Get Rid Of Dogwood Shrubs
The main reason it’s so hard to get rid of dogwood shrubs is their aggressive underground network of roots and stolons.
These shrubs don’t just grow from seeds; they spread through horizontal roots that send up new shoots constantly, which means you can’t just cut them down and call it done.
When you try to get rid of dogwood shrubs by cutting the stems, the root system remains alive and quickly sends up new growth with even more vigor.
That’s why so many people fail when they attempt to get rid of dogwood shrubs with simple pruning or mowing alone.
Another reason getting rid of dogwood shrubs is tricky is that they thrive in disturbed soils, so the more you dig and churn the earth, the more you encourage new sprouts to emerge.
The good news is that with a strategic approach, you can get rid of dogwood shrubs for good without having to wage a never-ending battle.
1. The Root System Is Your Main Enemy
When you’re trying to get rid of dogwood shrubs, you need to realize that the root system is the real enemy, not the visible stems.
Some dogwood species like red osier and silky dogwood can send roots several feet away from the main plant, and each root node can generate a new shrub.
So even if you cut every stem you can see, those hidden roots will keep the plant alive and ready to regrow.
This is why successful removal requires either digging out all the roots completely or using a method that kills the roots while they’re still in the ground.
2. Timing Matters When You Get Rid Of Dogwood Shrubs
The best time of year to get rid of dogwood shrubs is during late summer or early fall when the plant is sending energy down to its roots for winter storage.
This is when herbicides are most effective because the plant actively pulls chemicals down into the root system.
If you try to get rid of dogwood shrubs in early spring, you’ll find that the sap is flowing upward, making chemical treatments less effective and manual digging messier.
For physical removal, late fall or winter is actually easier since the leaves are gone and you can see the full structure of thickets more clearly.
How To Get Rid Of Dogwood Shrubs: Manual Removal Methods
If you prefer a chemical-free approach, there are several manual methods you can use to get rid of dogwood shrubs that work well for smaller infestations.
These methods require more elbow grease but are effective when done properly and consistently.
Here’s what you need to know about the hands-on ways to get rid of dogwood shrubs.
1. Digging Out The Entire Root System
The most thorough manual way to get rid of dogwood shrubs is to dig out the entire root system with a shovel, mattock, or a mechanical tree puller.
Start by cutting the shrubs down to about a foot above the ground so you have handles to grab onto.
Then, dig a circle around the base of each shrub, about 12 to 18 inches out from the trunk, to expose the lateral roots.
Follow each root you find and pull it up, being careful to remove the entire length since any small piece left behind can resprout.
This method is most effective when the soil is moist, like after a good rain, because the roots come up more cleanly without breaking.
For large thickets, you might need to rent a stump grinder or a skid steer to help you get rid of dogwood shrubs efficiently, but for a few plants, hand digging is totally doable.
2. Smothering The Shrubs To Kill Them
Another manual method to get rid of dogwood shrubs is smothering, which uses light deprivation to kill the plants over time.
First, cut the shrubs as low to the ground as possible, then cover the area with heavy cardboard or several layers of black plastic sheeting.
Weigh down the edges with rocks or soil, and leave it in place for at least one full growing season.
This technique works because it blocks sunlight that the shrubs need for photosynthesis, eventually starving the roots.
However, this method is slow, and you need to be patient because it can take several months to fully get rid of dogwood shrubs this way.
The Chemical Route To Get Rid Of Dogwood Shrubs
For larger infestations or when manual removal isn’t practical, using herbicides is the most effective way to get rid of dogwood shrubs quickly.
The key is to apply the herbicide correctly so you kill the roots without harming neighboring plants.
Let’s break down the chemical strategies that work best when you need to get rid of dogwood shrubs.
1. Cut Stump Treatment For Immediate Results
The cut stump method is one of the most reliable chemical treatments to get rid of dogwood shrubs because it targets the root system directly.
Cut the shrub down to within 2 to 4 inches of the ground, making a clean horizontal cut with a sharp saw.
Immediately apply a concentrated herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr to the fresh cut stump using a brush or spray bottle.
Timing is critical here; you must apply the herbicide within 30 minutes of cutting so the plant hasn’t sealed off the wound.
This method lets you get rid of dogwood shrubs with minimal herbicide use because you’re applying it only to the targeted plant.
2. Foliar Spraying For Young Or Short Shrubs
If your dogwood shrubs are under 6 feet tall and you have a large area to cover, foliar spraying can be an efficient way to get rid of dogwood shrubs.
Use a pump sprayer or backpack sprayer filled with a diluted herbicide solution specifically labeled for brush control.
Spray the leaves until they’re wet but not dripping, and make sure to spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves for thorough coverage.
This method works best during active growth in late spring or early summer, but you need to be careful about overspray hitting desirable plants.
Avoid spraying on windy days, and remember that foliar spraying is less effective on mature, tough dogwood shrubs with thick bark.
Preventing Dogwood Shrubs From Coming Back After You Get Rid Of Them
Once you’ve managed to get rid of dogwood shrubs, your job isn’t quite done because these plants love to come back from seed and root fragments.
Prevention is the final and most important step to ensure you don’t have to start the whole process over again.
Here’s how you keep them from returning after you get rid of dogwood shrubs.
1. Monitor And Remove Seedlings Early
Dogwood shrubs produce berries that birds love to eat, and those birds spread the seeds far and wide through their droppings.
So, you can fully get rid of dogwood shrubs in one area, but new seedlings will still show up from bird-dispersed seeds.
Make it a habit to walk your property every few weeks and pull up any tiny seedlings you find while the roots are still shallow.
Early intervention is much easier than dealing with a mature shrub, so staying vigilant is your best defense.
2. Use Mulch And Ground Covers To Block Sprouts
After you get rid of dogwood shrubs, lay down a thick layer of organic mulch, about 3 to 4 inches deep, over the cleared area.
This mulch creates a barrier that makes it harder for seeds to germinate and for any leftover root pieces to send up shoots.
For an even stronger barrier, you can plant competitive ground covers like native grasses or spreading perennials that will outcompete any new dogwood growth.
These plants will shade the soil and consume the nutrients that dogwood shrubs need, making it very difficult for them to re-establish.
So, Can You Finally Get Rid Of Dogwood Shrubs For Good?
You definitely can get rid of dogwood shrubs for good with the right combination of persistence, timing, and the removal methods we’ve covered here.
Getting rid of dogwood shrubs fully is possible when you target the roots, whether through thorough digging or by applying herbicides to cut stumps.
So, can you get rid of dogwood shrubs? The answer is a resounding yes, as long as you understand that these aggressive plants will always try to come back, and you need to stay one step ahead.
Your best bet is to pick a removal method that matches the size of your infestation, then commit to monitoring and prevention after the initial removal.
The effort you’ll put into getting rid of dogwood shrubs will pay off when you see your landscape free of these takeover artists, making room for the plants you actually want to grow.
Now you have all the tools you need to get rid of dogwood shrubs and keep them out of your yard for the long haul.