I am considering planting a flowering dogwood. I live in Lewisville and have the black clay soil. I have tried transplanting a couple of small dogwoods from East Texas previously with no luck. I don't have the heart to kill another tree but would love to have a dogwood, if possible.

Is there a secret to getting a dogwood to grow in this soil? Or must I totally remove a ton of it and replace with something more acidic? Or should I just drop the idea altogether? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well, besides the whole organic approach which will eventually render tough clay soil into goo healthy soil, you need to keep in mind that around here dogwoods much prefer shade. You earlier attempts- did they have shade from the mid to late afternoon sun?

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Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

I am a beginner to organic gardening. I almost killed my beautiful St. Augustine grass last year using a chemical weed/feed which in fine print warned against use on SA grass. Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on turning clay into good soil.

My yard has recovered nicely thanks to the employment of organic principles, using sugar on the surface, airiating, topdressing of compost, green sand and lava sand.

On the previous attempts, yes, these were shaded areas. However, I had actually dug these trees up in East Texas and transplanted them here. Having tried this before while growing up there, I knew it may or may not work when I tried it last year. Dogwoods are delicate.

This time, I was going to just buy from a local nusery.

I have a place in mind for this dogwood and it would mean about two hours of late afternoon sun. It would sit right next to a large, mature oak. If you think this would be a problem, I may need to just drop the idea entirely?

I appreciate your response!

Sounds like you are on the right track then. Getting something that's used to local conditions will be a big help.

As to the soil, I've found that just doingthe basics talked about all through the site here has simply changed my soil.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

We planted a dogwood in our backyard with zero shade. Most of the leaves are gone on that sucker now, but it's still alive. Will have to see how it handles it next year.

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Cats are irresponsible and recognize no authority, yet are completely dependent on others for their material needs. Cats cannot be made to do anything useful. Cats are mean for the fun of it
- P. J. O'Rourke

These are probably the worst tree as survival goes to try transplanting from the wild.

I would suggest you either collect all the pinestraw you can from both pine trees in Lewisville or go and buy some pine straw to mulch with.

Getting a dogwood to thrive in your area may take a while, but it can be done. Lots of water, shade and acid.

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May the forest be with you.