Trees are one of the most effective ways to beautify your home landscape. The dogwood tree should arguably be your first choice as it’s less invasive and can be planted relatively close to your house.
You might be wondering, ‘how far from the house should you plant a dogwood tree?’ You can plant your dogwood tree at a distance of 15 feet away from your house. Follow this rule of thumb when planting medium-sized trees, and for small varieties it’s best to keep a distance of 6 feet.
Can I Plant a Dogwood Close to the House?
Dogwood trees, or more commonly referred to as ‘dogwood’ are popular choices for homeowners and those who want a tree that can provide ample amount of shade and aesthetics in a garden or yard.
When it comes to landscaping you have two choices- the Kousa Dogwood or the common Dogwood. Both will have the medium-sized tree planting requirement of 15 feet, which is still relatively close to a house. However, you’ll also have to consider other factors, such as the best spot to plant dogwood and how you intend to blend the tree into the existing landscape.
You’ll also need to know how to plant dogwood the right way so it thrives under your care.
How Much Space do Dogwood Trees need?
Although some say that you can plant dogwood in as little as six feet, it’s recommended that you observe a distance of 15 feet so the tree will have room to grow.
A mature dogwood tree will assume a vase-like shape and reach a width of around 20 feet. That said, if you’re planning to put in multiple trees then you should observe that distance so they won’t look crowded and grow to their maximum potential.
Where is the Best Spot for a Dogwood?
Generally, the dogwood tree likes partial shade as too much sun promotes a tall growth instead of a spreading one.
If you could find a spot where it can get some morning sun and shade from the afternoon sun, then that should be for the best. Dogwood trees will need a fair amount of sunlight to flower but they’d be stretched thin and won’t be as bushy as one in the shade.
If you have several optimal areas then you can plan depending on how you want the tree to function. It could be planted to provide shade, make your house look bigger, as a background or as an accent to another fixture or arrangement.
Dogwood Planting Tips
Check the Root Ball or Cluster
The root cluster or root ball of a dogwood will determine just how big the hole you need to dig.
As a general rule, the hole should be twice the size of the roots. It can be a bit bigger but it shouldn’t be considerably smaller.
Set the Tree A Few Inches Higher
Once you plant the tree you should give it a space of somewhere around 2 to 4 inches above the ground.
The reason behind this is that the tree tends to settle when you water it for the first time, and it will sink to the ground after the process is done.
Backfill and Tamp as You Go
It’s recommended that you place the tree in the hole and fill the spaces with topsoil. Tamping, or the process of packing the soil reduces air between the materials so it won’t drop as much when the watering time comes.
Water When Half and When Full
When you’ve filled the soil halfway, it’s time for watering. Use clean water and allow the excess to drain away, then add more soil until the hole is filled in. Then, water and allow the tree to settle.
The Use of Mulch and Water
As with other trees it’s best to keep a close eye on the soil’s moisture level when settling them in. Keep the ground well-watered during the first few weeks to prevent shock. Make sure the water penetrates the soil and into the roots so the tree can get what it needs.
It’s recommended that you place some organic mulch around the tree (about 3 to 4 inches) to keep the weeds out and conserve moisture.