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Have I ruined my Cornus Alba??

wills.hmwills.hm Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I cut my Cornus Alba back fairly hard in the Autumn & I can't see any signs of new growth! (It was getting rather big & had quite a severe lean, I was hoping to be able to encourage it into more of an upright position). Having done some research (after the event 🙄), it seems that Spring would have been the best time to cut back. Is it dead? How long will I need to wait before I can decide?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The whole point of cornus alba is the glorious red stems which glow in the low winter sun, hence the habit of cutting back hard in spring to renew that growth and colour.

    It's been along, cold winter so I would wait another month or 6 weeks to see if you get new shoots before giving up on it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    I’d agree to wait.  I have a couple showing signs of life but others still look dormant.

    Maybe just my memory or that I’m in more of a hurry than usual, but it feels like spring is a little slower to get started this year than last.
  • gardenman91gardenman91 Posts: 429
    Hi @JoeX, where do you live? My Cronus Alba has got new leaves coming already, though I am down in the south. Cornus Alba are usually coppiced/hard pruned, because it’s the new growth that is the brightest colour in this case most likely red :smile:
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    @JoeX - no two springs are alike.  Patience!!
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    edited March 2021
    I’m on the London/Kent border Ive got an alba sibirica and a midwinter fire in leaf, but five more all quiet.
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