What USDA zone are you in? How big is it? Had it already budded out when you bought it?

My instinct is to leave it.

zone and location are in original post...unless zone 6B is not a USDA zone...do I have that right?

It's between 3 and 4ft tall...smallest I could find without ordering bare root.

Johniferous, was this plant previously at a local vendor, outside? I ask because at least that factoid will mean it's not way "ahead of schedule" with respect to your local conditions. In other words, if I was to order a plant from Oregon, where the growing season is much longer and starts much earlier than where I live, it might arrive fully leafed out whereas that same plant in the ground here would just be barely waking up. See what I'm saying?

The other thing is, couldn't you just cover the plant with an old bed sheet or something? I think I'd sooner do that than dog the thing back up. If you do elect to go with the cover, avoid plastic, nylon tarps, etc. These types of materials don't do a good job of protecting from frosts/freezes and can actually increase the damage potential.

Generally, I am looking for a follow-on from how they have been grown at the nursery - and if it was a potted specimen, kept under any sort of cover...or if the nursery was a radically different zone to yours, I might be a little concerned...but probably not concerned enough to re-dig. Perhaps a temporary wrapping of lightweight horticultural fleece or even, as it is a short cold snap, burlap. To be honest, any flowering the first year from transplanting is so anomalous - almost a rare bonus. The foliage generally has its own anti-freeze - rapid freezing and re-thawing can damage the cellular structure but spring frosts are always a risk of blossom freezing - not something which would affect the tree over the longer term - just a slight dissapointment for you. But hey...years and years of pleasure to come - little setbacks are minor happenings.

Slight dogwood envy from this dryland alkaline gardener.

I emphasise (again) what a tree planting novice I am so I am sure more experienced types will leap in and contradict my every word.

And hey, as I was composing my reply - experts have arrived already.

Vindicated!

Considering that I'm in NJ z6B and I bought it on April 1, I'm going to assume it was grown where many potted trees from this garden center come from - Tennessee or similar region.

With that being said, I ensured that there was no growth and the plant was still fully dormant when I bought it. It was not rootbound but I did break up the rootball a bit and pull out any swirling roots to avoid future issues.

I could throw a thin blanket around it I guess...I have no burlap or horticultural wraps. But won't a few inches of wet snow load build up on it and bend the poor thing down? I could just keep my eye on it and go out there if needed.

I guess my question really is this: What I have read about spring frost is that it uses up the energy the plant has, but if the plant isn't stressed or sick, it will resprout new leaves by June. But you guys are always talking about freshly planted trees being stressed (for obvious reasons). So is the fact that this thing was potted and just had its rootball broken up enough stress that it wouldn't be able to put out a second flush of growth when this stuff dies?

Clearly I'm going to find out one way or another. There's a 1 year warranty so it's fine. Just trying to learn and understand as best I can.

I'm in NE Maryland and we're gonna get a hard freeze and possible snow tomorrow. Get one of those large trash cans, invert it over the dogwood and put a block on the top for weight. Problem solved.

I can't see the plant so don't know how vulnerable to limb breakage. Just generally speaking though, a relatively minor spring snow-we're looking at up to 6 inches here today-is not likely IMO to break anything. But again...........I'm not standing in your yard. Sam's idea would sure work..if the plant is of such a size as to fit under this trash can. Mostly now-not always-these late frosts and relatively minor snows are completely innocuous. As they say though, your mileage...........

Um, unless you were getting a really vicious ice-storm and gales, I don't think I would be worrying too much about limb damage either - at the stage your little tree is at, the limbs are still fine and flexible - great wads of snow are not going to be sitting on them causing them to bend and snap. Frost heave or rootrock are considerations but since yours has only just gone into the ground, there is not going to be much under-soil action to be checked just yet either - yours will still be bedding in so to speak. Still, as you say, you have a guarantee and a great learning experience is coming your way. Courage, mate - fingers crossed that all will be well.

I was referring to the blanket wrapped around it collecting snow and bending the entire tree down. I know that a few inches of snow won't break branches.

I'll snap a pic of the tree and a bud later and upload it. Thanks for all your help so far!

Ah, yes, I see what you mean...and since a covering will form a much larger area for snow to settle, I appreciate the dilemma. A pic of the buds would help - just to get an idea how tightly furled they still are. I also like Sam's idea...but accessing tall enough containers can be tricky too.

I have a friend who laboriously sewed 120 small cotton bags to cover every fig on her tree before blackbirds got in there with their greedy beaks...and only this week, I was eyeing something called 'cherry sleeves' - long fabric tubes to slip over every fruiting branch - there are few lengths we gardeners will not go to to protect our plants.

Throw a box or empty trash can over it.

What happened? How is it?