Question
My neighbor has a beautiful dogwood tree.  I have admired it for about 12 years now, through three different owners, I would love to take a piece to root or seed (I don't know which will work).

Please let me know how to get a piece of this wonderful tree.

Sincerely,

Lynne O.  

Answer
Hi Lynne,
Thanx for your question.  In the late spring or early summer, after the tree has bloomed, take sever 6-8 inch long cuttings and strip off all of the leaves except the last 2 or 3.  Use a clean, sharp knife to cut green branches.  Dip these in rooting hormone and place in a pot of damp sand and keep the sand warm.  Mist the cuttings twice a day.  Rooting should take place in 8 weeks or so.  Usually, you'll see new green growth start to appear after 8 or 10 weeks.  Plant the rooted cuttings in separate pots and let them get good and leafy before taking them outdoors and placing them in the shade for about 10 days to harden them off (get them used to being outdoors) and then plant them where they will be somewhat shaded.  I hope this helps.
Tom