Question
I am our church property chair person.  Last fall someone trimmed our dogwood.  This year about 1/3 of the top branches did not come back.  He may have thinned out the deadwood but I don't know.  I want to rent a chainsaw on an extended pole and whack off the deadwood ends.  My husband, the pastor, wants me to ask if that is okay. Sitting in church and seeing this broom-end tree is distracting.  So what do you think...I'm ready to go rent. :)

Answer
You can prune the dead branches of dogwood trees anytime of the year without causing any problem. Pruning of live branches should be done after the leaves have fallen. Prune them back almost flush with the trunk and the wounds will heal over.

As a PK myself--By the way when you are "sitting in church" you may should concentrate on the worship rather than looking out the window (;