Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood)

Thanks Smivies. I am in zone 4. Should I be pruning it at all or just leave it alone. I have been in this house for 7 years and the previous owners had it before me. I have never done anything to it.

thanks

Best if you can leave it alone. They have a very unique horizontal branching structure. Messing with it lessens it’s ornamental value. The flowers usually smell wonderful.

'Should I be pruning it?'

You only need to prune ornamentals if there is a good reason, eg dead wood, disease, poor shape, etc.

Since your tree is healthy and beautiful and has remained so for 7 years without attention there is no reason to start chopping at it now.