When To Take Red Twig Dogwood Cuttings

The best time to take red twig dogwood cuttings is in late fall or early winter, right after the plant has gone dormant.
 
This is the ideal window for taking hardwood cuttings, which is the most reliable method for propagating these striking shrubs.
 
If you’re hoping to multiply your red twig dogwood for free, timing your cuttings correctly is the single most important factor for success.
 
In this post, we’ll explore exactly when to take red twig dogwood cuttings, why that timing matters so much, and how to do it properly so you can grow a whole new hedge of those brilliant red stems.
 
Let’s dig into the details of when to take red twig dogwood cuttings and get you propagating like a pro.
 

When To Take Red Twig Dogwood Cuttings: The Dormant Season

The straightforward answer for when to take red twig dogwood cuttings is during the dormant season, which typically runs from late fall after leaf drop all the way through late winter before new buds swell.
 
Taking red twig dogwood cuttings during this window is so effective because the plant’s energy is stored safely in the stems rather than in active growth.
 
Hardwood cuttings taken in this period are sturdy, mature, and less prone to drying out or rotting than softwood cuttings taken in summer.
 
The key is to wait until the leaves have fallen off naturally, signaling that the plant has fully entered dormancy.
 
You should also avoid taking red twig dogwood cuttings during a hard freeze, as the stems can be brittle and the wood may be damaged.
 
Aim for a mild day in that dormant stretch when the ground isn’t frozen solid, making the cutting process much easier on both you and the plant.
 

1. Late Fall Is Prime Time For Hardwood Cuttings

Late fall is arguably the very best time to take red twig dogwood cuttings because the wood has just finished hardening off for the winter.
 
At this point, the stems are fully mature, and they contain plenty of stored carbohydrates that will fuel root development over the coming months.
 
When you take red twig dogwood cuttings in late fall, you’re capturing that peak energy storage in every single stem.
 
This gives your cuttings a massive head start compared to any other season.
 
The cool temperatures also mean the cuttings won’t try to push out leaves prematurely, allowing them to focus all their energy on forming roots.
 

2. Early Winter Still Works Beautifully

If you miss the late fall window, early winter is still a fantastic time to take red twig dogwood cuttings.
 
As long as the stems are dormant and the ground isn’t frozen solid, you can successfully propagate.
 
Early winter cuttings tend to root just as well as late fall ones, especially if you store them properly in a cool, moist place until spring.
 
Many gardeners report excellent success rates when they take red twig dogwood cuttings on a mild December day.
 
Just make sure you’re using one-year-old wood, which is the growth from the current season and is identified by its smooth, bright red bark.
 

3. Avoid Taking Cuttings In Spring Or Summer

You might be tempted to take red twig dogwood cuttings in the spring or summer when everything is lush and green, but this is a mistake.
 
Softwood cuttings taken in late spring are far more prone to wilting and fungal rot because they’re packed with moisture and active growth hormones.
 
While it’s possible to propagate red twig dogwood from softwood cuttings, the success rate is dramatically lower than with dormant hardwood cuttings.
 
If you take red twig dogwood cuttings in summer, you’ll need to maintain constant humidity and misting just to keep them alive.
 
However, even with all that pampering, many of those summer cuttings will still fail to root.
 
So stick to the dormant season for the highest chance of success.
 

How To Take Red Twig Dogwood Cuttings At The Right Time

Once you’ve confirmed it’s the right season to take red twig dogwood cuttings, the actual process is straightforward.
 
You’ll want to select healthy, vigorous stems that are roughly the thickness of a pencil.
 
These should be from this year’s growth, and they’ll be a brilliant red color, which makes them easy to identify.
 

1. Cut The Stems To The Perfect Length

Using sharp, clean pruning shears, cut each stem into sections that are about 6 to 10 inches long.
 
Make the bottom cut just below a leaf node, as this is where the rooting hormones are most concentrated.
 
The top cut should be made at an angle just above a bud, which helps shed water and prevents rot.
 
When you take red twig dogwood cuttings this way, you’re maximizing the surface area for root emergence.
 

2. Store Them Properly Until Planting

After you take red twig dogwood cuttings, you have two options: plant them immediately in the ground or store them for spring planting.
 
If you’re planting immediately, simply push the cuttings about two-thirds of the way into a prepared trench or pot filled with well-draining soil.
 
If you’re storing them, bundle the cuttings together, wrap them in damp newspaper, and place them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
 
They’ll stay dormant and healthy for several months this way, and you can plant them out in early spring.
 

3. Plant Them With The Polarity Right

One critical mistake when you take red twig dogwood cuttings is planting them upside down.
 
The bottom cut (the one below the node) must go into the soil, and the angled top cut should face upward.
 
If you plant them upside down, they will not root, and they’ll simply rot in the ground.
 
To avoid this, you can make the bottom cut flat and the top cut angled, so there’s no confusion when you’re ready to plant.
 
Keep the cuttings consistently moist but not waterlogged, and by the following spring, you’ll see new growth emerging.
 

So, When Should You Take Red Twig Dogwood Cuttings?

You should take red twig dogwood cuttings in late fall or early winter, once the plant has gone fully dormant.
 
This is the undisputed best window for taking hardwood cuttings, giving you the highest rooting success rate possible.
 
When you take red twig dogwood cuttings during this dormant period, you’re working with stems packed with stored energy and free from the stress of active growth.
 
Just avoid the softwood cuttings of spring and summer, as they’re far less reliable.
 
So grab your shears this winter, and take red twig dogwood cuttings to expand your garden without spending a dime.
 
Happy propagating.