Introduction
Dogwood berries come from flowering trees and shrubs in the genus Cornus. There are over 30 species of dogwoods, but two commonly eaten species are Cornus mas (European cornelian cherry) and Cornus kousa (Chinese dogwood). The fruit are small red berries that have a sweet yet tart taste, similar to cranberries. Dogwood berries are nutritious, containing antioxidants like anthocyanins as well as vitamin C and minerals. However, some species contain toxins and should be eaten in moderation. This guide will cover how to harvest, prepare, and safely enjoy edible dogwood berries.
Identifying Dogwood Trees
Dogwood trees can be identified by looking closely at the tree’s leaves, bark, and fruit. The leaves have distinctive veins that curve parallel to each leaf edge, creating a rounded or heart-shaped leaf.1 The smooth bark of young trees becomes rough and scaly with age. The fruit of dogwood trees are clusters of berry-like drupes. Dogwood berries start off pale green and ripen to a bright red.2
Some common types of dogwood trees have the following identifying features:
- Kousa dogwood – Large white flower bracts in spring, red berries in late summer
- Flowering dogwood – White or pink flower bracts in spring, red berries in late summer
- Red osier dogwood – Reddish bark on young branches, white berries in late summer
- Silky dogwood – Bluish-white berries in late summer
Dogwood trees can provide great seasonal interest in the landscape when properly identified. Looking for the signature leaves, bark, flowers, and fruit can help confirm the type of dogwood tree.
When to Harvest
The best time to harvest dogwood berries is when they have turned completely red, pink, or purple and feel slightly soft. This usually occurs in late summer through early fall, around August to October depending on your region and the species. According to (greatescapefarms.com), Kousa dogwoods (Cornus kousa) are ready for picking when the fruit turns pink and feels a little soft, starting in late August.
Look for signs of ripeness before harvesting dogwood berries. The berries should feel plump and tender when gently squeezed, but not mushy. Overripe dogwood fruit will be very dark in color, almost black, soft, and may start to wrinkle. The ideal time to pick is when the berries yield slightly to pressure but still hold their shape.
Timing will vary depending on climate, the dogwood species, and individual trees. Monitor your dogwood trees closely as the fruit ripens to catch the berries at peak flavor. Picking dogwood berries every few days allows you to harvest the ripest ones and leave others to ripen more.
Harvesting the Berries
Once the berries have turned pinkish-red and feel slightly soft, they are ready for picking. Use your fingers or scissors to snip the stems and collect the clusters of berries. Take care not to crush or squash the berries as you harvest them. It’s best to harvest the berries in small batches over multiple pickings rather than stripping all the fruit off the branches at once.
Gather about 1-2 cups of berries per harvest. This allows you to use the fresh berries right away before they go bad. Only harvest berries that are fully ripe and ready. Underripe green berries will not taste good. Overripe berries may be mushy or fermented.
The ideal time to harvest is early morning after the dew has evaporated. Pick the berries gently and avoid bruising them. Place the freshly picked berries loosely in a wide basket or shallow container. Do not pack them down or they may get crushed.
Berries can be harvested for 2-3 weeks as they ripen at different rates on the tree. Make repeat pickings every 2-3 days during peak fruiting season. Always leave some berries behind for wildlife to enjoy.
According to greatescapefarms.com, harvesting will usually start in late August and last into fall when the berries turn pinkish and feel slightly soft.
Preparing the Berries
Once harvested, the first step to preparing dogwood berries for consumption is thoroughly washing them. Run the berries under cool running water while gently rubbing to remove any dirt, debris, or bugs. Sort through the clean berries and discard any that are shriveled, mushy or damaged (Source).
The tart and crunchy berries work well cooked into sweet jams, jellies or compotes. Here’s a simple dogwood jam recipe:
Dogwood Berry Jam
5 cups dogwood berries
4 cups sugar
1⁄4 cup lemon juice
In a pot, mash berries and combine with lemon juice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add sugar and boil hard for 10-15 minutes until thickened. Pour into sterilized jars and process.
Dogwood berries are high in natural pectin, so combining with a lemon juice boost makes an easy homemade jam. Berries can also be used in jellies, adding pectin if the natural amount is not enough to gel. Experiment with blending dogwoods with other high-pectin fruits like apples or red currants. Enjoy the unique flavors of dogwood berries in your homemade preserves!
Eating Raw Berries
Kousa dogwood berries can be eaten raw right off the tree once ripe. Choose berries that are soft and deep red in color, avoiding any that are still hard or green, as they will be too sour and astringent (Source 1). The ripe berries have a pleasantly sweet and tropical flavor, often described as a mix of mango, peach, and apricot. Many find the flavor improves after the berries have had a chance to soften up further after picking (Source 2).
When eating the berries raw, be aware that they do have hard pits in the center which should be avoided. The flesh surrounding the pits is where most of the sweet flavor resides. Take care when biting into the berries to feel for the pit. You can also squeeze the pulp of the berry out around the pit using your fingers. The skin has a slightly bitter taste and grainy texture, so you may want to remove it before eating (Source 1).
Overall the berries are delicious eaten fresh off the tree as a sweet summertime snack. Just be wary of the hard pits, and enjoy the tropical flavors of the soft berry flesh. Monitor how your body tolerates them, as some people may experience mild stomach upset from eating too many. Moderation is key when eating any new wild fruit raw.
Cooking with Dogwood Berries
Dogwood berries can be used in a variety of cooked dishes and baked goods. Their pleasantly tart and fruity flavor pairs well with sugars and spices. Some ideas for using dogwood berries in cooking include:
Jams and Jellies – Dogwood berries contain pectin which allows them to thicken into a jam or jelly. Combine the berries with sugar and lemon juice and cook into a spreadable jam.
Pies – The berries work well baked into pies. Try them in a double crust pie or a crumble topping. Adjust sugar based on tartness of berries.
Muffins and Quick Breads – Fold dogwood berries into muffin or quick bread batters like banana bread or zucchini bread. The berries add moisture and flavor.
Syrups – Simmering the dogwood berries creates a tasty syrup. Sweeten with sugar or honey and use over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream.
Adds to Salads – Fresh raw berries can add flavor, color, and texture when mixed into fruit salads.
Fermenting – Dogwood berries can be fermented into wine, vinegar, or kombucha for those interested in DIY projects.
Grilling – Try lightly grilling the berries or sauteeing to bring out more complex flavors.
The possibilities are endless for incorporating these foraged berries into cooking and baking.
Storing Leftover Berries
Dogwood berries foraged in the fall often turn out in bountiful harvests. Rather than letting the excess go to waste, there are ways to preserve and store your leftover dogwood berries. Some effective storage techniques include:
- Refrigeration: Fresh dogwood berries will usually keep for up to 2 weeks when refrigerated in an airtight container. Place a paper towel in the container to help absorb excess moisture. Refrigerate for up to 14 days and use as soon as possible once opened.
- Freezing: Rinse, drain, and pat dry fresh dogwood berries. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Frozen dogwood berries will keep for 6-12 months and can be directly added to recipes or used as a pie or jelly filling. Dogwood berries contain more flesh and juice than some other wild berries, so they are well suited for freezing compared to other options like viburnums. (Wildfoods 4 Wildlife)
- Jams and Jellies: Cook fresh or frozen dogwood berries into jams, jellies, or preserves for longer term storage options. Use proper canning methods and add lemon juice or citric acid to help the set. Processed and canned dogwood berry products can keep 12+ months in a cool, dark place.
Dogwood berries deteriorate quickly once harvested, so utilize refrigeration, freezing, jams, or other preservation as soon as possible for best flavor and longevity. Practice proper handling and storage hygiene as well.
Foraging Safely
When foraging for any wild edible, it’s important to ensure you are harvesting safely. While most dogwood species have edible berries, some varieties may be toxic or cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Before consuming any amount, first test by eating just a few raw berries and wait several hours to monitor for adverse effects. It’s also wise to avoid areas potentially contaminated by car exhaust, pesticides, or other pollutants.
Some sources claim dogwood fruit may be poisonous, but this appears limited to a few species. Most commonly foraged varieties like Cornus kousa (Kousa dogwood) and Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry) are considered edible. However, identified any plant before consuming. Additionally, monitor children and pets when harvesting to prevent accidental poisoning.
When trying dogwood berries for the first time, exercise caution and moderation. Introduce them slowly in small quantities and discontinue use if you experience stomach upset or other concerning symptoms. Foraging dogwood berries can be a tasty wild harvest, as long as proper care is taken.
Additional Uses
Beyond their culinary uses, dogwood berries have several other applications that make the trees useful for landscaping and crafting. The berries can be used to make a lovely purple-red dye. Crush the ripe berries and simmer them in water to extract the pigment. Strain out the solids and use the colored liquid as a natural dye for fabrics, yarns, Easter eggs, and more. The berries’ juice can also be used as a stain and ink.
In the garden, dogwood trees provide ornamental interest with their showy spring blossoms and attractive foliage that turns red-purple in fall. The berries also attract songbirds and other wildlife that forage on the fruit, making dogwoods a great addition for landscaping that supports local ecosystems.
The hard wood of dogwood trees has been used historically for items like golf club heads, tool handles, and loom shuttles. More recently, thin slices of the wood are popular for woodburning crafts. And the bark of some dogwood species contains quinine, giving it antimalarial properties that allow for medicinal applications.