Why is my cornelian cherry not fruiting? Anyone got experience with a Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas)?

DON'T prune now - you'll cut off next year's flowers.

If you haven't seen flowers, I suspect it's too shaded. Cornus mas. likes sun, and does well in sun. Although it should grow well in shade, it may just not get enough sun to flower well.

You should be seeing small yellow flowers in early spring - before the leaves come out. If there are no flowers, there will not be any fruit, as they come from flowers that are pollinated. Yes, they're self-fruitful, but you need flowers first.

Firstly, your cornus responds well to pruning, so if it's too leggy you can make it more compact. People do plant them close together and use them as hedges. There can be several reasons you're not seeing fruit. They flower very early and before the leaves come. If you have not had flowers, then as you know, that would be the cause of no fruit. If it does flower without fruiting, it is not getting pollinated. Possibly pollinating insects in your area are out early enough for this flower? Although they are considered self-fertile, there is no guarantee you will get fruit without a second plant. Or could it be birds and other fruit lovers grab them before you even know it, like they do me? There are some cultivars that are grown more for their variegated leaves than for fruit.

Thanks. I never noticed flowers on it, but not positive I would notice in March if it's not showy. I do not have a variegated ornamental. I plan to prune it. I have had to cut it back a bit every year so my lawn mowers can get under it but I have never pruned it per se, just kept it from reaching across the lawn. I have a small yard so I am jealous of all the space it takes up if it's not going to yield. If it does not fruit next year after getting real sun then I'm prolly gonna pull it down. Unless you think I could plant 2 in the space I use for one to ensure fruit? It takes up 12 or 15' along my fence. Thanks!