When to prune dogwood and redbud

Within about 4 weeks after flowers fade. Spring bloomers set buds the previous summer; structural pruning right after bloom.

Type	tree
Blooms on	old wood
Bloom season	spring
When to prune	Within about 4 weeks after flowers fade
Stop	No heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost

Magenta-pink eastern redbud blossoms along a bare branch — Photo: NPS Photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Avoid

Spring wounds on dogwood in anthracnose areas; summer pruning on redbud.

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Sources

University of Georgia Extension: B961: Pruning Ornamental Plants in the Landscape
University of Minnesota Extension: Pruning trees and shrubs
Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Pruning Shrubs

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All pruning timing

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