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You can get rid of dogwood shrubs by cutting them down, digging out the root systems, or using targeted herbicide applications.
Getting rid of dogwood shrubs is a common landscaping task because these vigorous plants can quickly take over a yard, choking out your prized flowers and grass.
Whether you’re dealing with red osier dogwoods, silky dogwoods, or the invasive gray dogwood, the process requires patience and a solid strategy.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods for getting rid of dogwood shrubs, from simple manual removal to chemical control, so you can reclaim your garden.
Let’s dig into the best ways to permanently remove these woody invaders.
Why Getting Rid of Dogwood Shrubs Is So Challenging
Getting rid of dogwood shrubs is tough because these plants are engineered to survive almost any attempt to remove them.
They spread through an aggressive network of underground runners that can send up new shoots dozens of feet from the parent plant.
Even a tiny piece of root left in the soil can regenerate into a brand new shrub within a single growing season.
So if you just lop off the top growth, you’ll likely see the dogwood shrubs bounce back with even more vigor.
Understanding this stubborn growth habit is the first step to successfully getting rid of dogwood shrubs for good.
1. The Root System Is Your Main Enemy
When getting rid of dogwood shrubs, you’re not just fighting the stems you can see above ground.
The root system acts like a hidden storage tank, holding energy reserves that fuel rapid regrowth.
These roots can extend laterally for up to 15 feet in every direction, which means a single shrub can colonize a huge area.
That’s why getting rid of dogwood shrubs requires you to either remove the entire root mass or starve it out over time.
2. Suckering Makes Removal a Repeat Battle
Dogwood shrubs love to sucker, which means they send up new shoots from their roots at the slightest sign of stress.
If you cut a dogwood down and leave the roots intact, you’ll be rewarded with a ring of suckers within weeks.
This is the plant’s survival mechanism, and it’s the primary reason so many homeowners fail at getting rid of dogwood shrubs on their first attempt.
You have to be prepared for this regrowth and have a plan to deal with it consistently.
Manual Methods for Getting Rid of Dogwood Shrubs
For small infestations, manual removal is often the most straightforward approach to getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
This method involves physically pulling, digging, and cutting the plants out of the ground.
It’s labor-intensive, but it’s also the most environmentally friendly option since you’re not introducing chemicals into your soil.
Here’s how to get rid of dogwood shrubs by hand without breaking your back.
1. Use a Shovel and Mattock for Small Plants
For young dogwood shrubs under three feet tall, you can often get rid of them with a sharp shovel and a mattock.
Start by loosening the soil in a wide circle around the base of the shrub to expose the root crown.
Use the mattock to chop through the main roots, then pry the entire root ball out of the ground.
Be thorough here because leaving any substantial roots behind will defeat your goal of getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
Shake off as much soil as possible and dispose of the roots in a compost pile or landfill.
2. Leverage a Winch or Tractor for Large Specimens
Mature dogwood shrubs with thick trunks are nearly impossible to dig out by hand.
You’ll need mechanical help to get rid of these larger plants effectively.
Cut the shrub down to about three feet tall, then attach a heavy-duty chain or tow strap to the stump.
Connect the chain to a winch mounted on a truck or a tractor with a front-end loader.
Pull slowly and steadily, and the winch will pop the entire root mass out of the ground, giving you a clean removal.
This is one of the most complete ways of getting rid of dogwood shrubs because it extracts almost the entire root system.
3. Smothering Works for Small Patches
If you’re dealing with a dense thicket of dogwood shrubs, smothering can be a surprisingly effective tactic.
First, mow or cut all the dogwood shrubs down to ground level in late spring.
Then, cover the entire area with thick black plastic sheeting, weighing down the edges with rocks or soil.
The plastic blocks sunlight and creates a greenhouse effect that bakes the roots, eventually killing them.
Leave the plastic in place for at least one full growing season, and you’ll make significant progress on getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
This method requires patience, but it’s chemical-free and works well in small, contained areas.
Chemical Control for Getting Rid of Dogwood Shrubs
When manual removal isn’t practical due to the scale of the infestation, chemical control is your best bet for getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
Herbicides containing glyphosate or triclopyr are highly effective at killing the deep root systems of these shrubs.
The key is to apply the herbicide at the right time using the right technique so you actually get rid of dogwood shrubs instead of just burning their leaves.
1. Cut-Stump Treatment Is the Gold Standard
The cut-stump method is the most reliable chemical approach for getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
Begin by cutting the shrub down to a few inches above the ground, making a clean, flat cut.
Immediately after cutting, use a paintbrush or spray bottle to apply a concentrated herbicide like triclopyr to the exposed stump.
You need to apply the chemical within 30 minutes of cutting so it gets absorbed before the plant seals the wound.
This method works extremely well for getting rid of dogwood shrubs because the herbicide travels down to the roots and kills them.
2. Foliar Spraying Works on Dense Growth
If you have a large patch of dogwood shrubs that are all actively growing, foliar spraying can be a huge time-saver.
Wait until late summer or early fall when the shrubs are transporting nutrients down to their roots for winter storage.
Mix a glyphosate-based herbicide according to the label directions, and spray it liberally over all the leaves.
The leaves will absorb the chemical and send it down to the root system, effectively getting rid of dogwood shrubs from the inside out.
You should see visible wilting and browning within a week or two, but the full root kill may take a month.
3. Repeat Applications Are Often Necessary
Don’t expect a single chemical treatment to completely finish the job of getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
Some stubborn roots will survive your first application and send up new suckers.
Monitor the area closely and apply a follow-up dose of herbicide to any regrowth that appears.
This second round is usually much easier because the plant is already weakened and stressed.
Persistence is the secret to getting rid of dogwood shrubs, whether you’re pulling them by hand or treating them with chemicals.
Preventing Dogwood Shrubs from Coming Back
After you’ve successfully gotten rid of dogwood shrubs, you need to take steps to ensure they don’t return.
The soil where the shrubs once grew is likely full of dormant seeds and small root fragments that are waiting for the right conditions.
Here’s how to prevent a resurgence after getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
1. Plant Competitive Ground Covers
Bare soil is an open invitation for dogwood shrubs to reclaim their old territory.
After you’ve removed the shrubs, plant a dense, fast-growing ground cover like creeping phlox or a native grass mix.
The ground cover will outcompete any new dogwood seedlings for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
This smothering effect makes it much harder for dogwood shrubs to establish themselves again in your yard.
2. Regularly Patrol for New Shoots
For the first two years after getting rid of dogwood shrubs, you need to be vigilant.
Walk your property every few weeks during the growing season and look for any bright green shoots emerging from the soil.
When you spot them, dig them out immediately or spot-treat them with herbicide.
This consistent monitoring is what separates successful removals from frustrating repeat battles with dogwood shrubs.
3. Mulch Heavily to Block Sunlight
A thick layer of mulch, about four to six inches deep, can physically block the growth of new dogwood shrubs.
Apply the mulch after you’ve cleared the area, and refresh it annually to maintain its depth.
The mulch creates a dark, cool environment that discourages seed germination and makes it nearly impossible for shallow-rooted suckers to push through.
This is a low-effort way to complement your other efforts at getting rid of dogwood shrubs.
So, How to Get Rid of Dogwood Shrubs for Good?
You can get rid of dogwood shrubs for good by combining manual removal or chemical treatment with a solid prevention plan.
There’s no single magic bullet, but a combination of digging, cutting, and targeted herbicide use will get the job done.
The most important thing is to be persistent and not give up when you see a few new shoots pop up after your initial removal.
Getting rid of dogwood shrubs is a marathon, not a sprint, but with the techniques we’ve covered, you can win the battle.
Choose the method that fits your situation, stick with it, and you’ll soon have a yard free from these invasive shrubs.
Now get out there and reclaim your landscape.