[kathyatthelake]

My dogwood trees have grown too tall and block the air on my deck as well as my view. Can they be cut back. If so how much and when?

[joypulv]

Any woody branches must not be pruned until late fall to very early spring, at most 1/3 per year. Even a third is a lot. Prune the inner small softer branches and any suckers off the trunk any time except the hottest part of summer.
Little inner branches that rise up vertically off a horizontal branch are the first ones to eliminate, then any little ones that crisscross with each other.
I wouldn't attack the very top of the trees, because they aren't really what is blocking your breeze and view, are they? They will just looked chopped.

[ma0641]

You can judiciously prune smaller inner branches and shoots anytime. Serious pruning should be done when dormant, after leaf fall. DO NOT prune the top off.