Introduction
The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a small deciduous tree native to eastern North America that is known for its showy spring blooms. It is a member of the dogwood genus Cornus and the family Cornaceae. The common name “dogwood” comes from the Colonial era practice of using the wood from Cornus species to make “dags” which were skewers or daggers. The scientific name Cornus florida refers to the showy flowers, as “florida” means flowering or blossoming in Latin.
Flowering dogwood trees typically grow to a height of 15-30 feet with a spread of 20-25 feet. They have a rounded shape with horizontal branching. The bark is gray and smooth when young, becoming cracked and rough with age. The leaves are 3-6 inches long and oval in shape with smooth edges. Dogwoods are prized for their flowering display, which occurs in spring before the leaves emerge. The flowers have four notched, petal-like bracts which surround a tight cluster of tiny yellowish-green flowers. The white or pinkish-white bracts may be tinged with green, red or purple. Flowering dogwood is a popular ornamental tree due to its showy spring display and red foliage in fall.
Ornamental Landscaping
The flowering dogwood (https://www.landscape-design-advice.com/dogwood-trees.html) is a popular ornamental tree valued for its spring blooms and fall foliage. Its shallow root system and modest size make it well-suited for smaller residential landscapes. The white or pink flower bracts provide a beautiful spring display. In the fall, the glossy green leaves turn striking shades of red, orange, and purple. The branching form and tiered horizontal limbs give the tree a distinctive layered look. Both the flowers and the leaves make the flowering dogwood an attractive specimen tree. Its relatively small size of 15-30 feet tall and wide makes it suitable for use near homes without fear of it overgrowing the space. The flowering dogwood grows at a slow to medium rate and prefers partial sun to light shade. It can be incorporated into landscape beds and borders or used as an accent or focal point. The showy blossoms and colorful fall foliage make the flowering dogwood a beautiful ornamental addition.
Wood Products
Dogwood wood has exceptional hardness that makes it well suited for specialty wood products. The dense, fine-grained wood is commonly used to produce items that require resilience and strength like golf club heads, textile shuttles, bows, mallets, and turned objects. Its hardness, tight grain, and ability to take an excellent polish have led some woodworkers to liken it to persimmon wood. Dogwood’s density and resistance to shock allows it to endure frequent impacts without damage. For these reasons, it’s become a wood of choice for hammer and mallet handles as well as golf club heads.
The attractive white sapwood transitions into a reddish heartwood that can be polished to a lustrous, satiny sheen. While the sapwood is prone to insect attack, the heartwood has good natural decay resistance. Turned dogwood objects like bowls, pens, or spindles highlight the fine grain patterns and take on a beautiful finish. Overall, dogwood’s exceptional hardness, shock resistance, and ability to polish to a smooth surface make it a unique and useful specialty wood.
Food Source
The fruits of some dogwood species are edible and can be used to make jams, jellies, and wine. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) bears edible fruit that resembles a raspberry and can be eaten raw or made into jams and jellies (1). According to one source, the fruits contain high levels of anthocyanins, which act as antioxidants (2). The fruits of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) can also be eaten, although they have a bitter taste and are not as commonly consumed (3). Some people ferment the fruits of flowering dogwood to make wine. Proper identification of dogwood species is important, as some have poisonous fruits.
Medicinal Uses
The bark of flowering dogwood has a long history of medicinal use, especially among Native American tribes. According to the USDA, the root bark was used as a fever reducer, skin astringent, antidiarrheal agent, and for pain relief (USDA). During the Civil War, bark tea or tinctures were widely used in the South to treat malaria and diarrhea (Brandeis).
The bark contains tannins and anthraquinone glycosides that are believed to provide some medicinal effects. However, the safety and efficacy of flowering dogwood preparations have not been thoroughly studied in clinical trials. Any medicinal use should be discussed with a healthcare provider first.
Wildlife Habitat
Flowering dogwoods provide excellent wildlife habitat and food sources for many species of birds and animals (Texas Parks and Wildlife). The bark, twigs, foliage and berries all contribute to its value.
The dense, low branching structure offers nesting sites and cover for birds and small mammals. Over 20 species have been documented nesting in flowering dogwoods, including ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and songbirds like cardinals, mockingbirds, and robins (USDA).
The flowers provide nectar for pollinating insects in early spring when other floral resources are scarce. The berries are eaten by over 36 bird species and numerous mammals like squirrels and bears. White-tailed deer browse the leaves and twigs.
By providing such bountiful and diverse food sources and habitat, flowering dogwoods play an integral role in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems.
Cultural Symbolism
The flowering dogwood tree holds symbolic meaning in legends, folklore, and art. In Christian tradition, the dogwood’s flowers are said to have been stained red with the blood of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. According to legend, the dogwood was once a tall, sturdy tree but God reduced its size to prevent it from being used again for crucifixion. This is said to be why the dogwood is now a smaller, flowering tree (Source).
Because of this Biblical legend, the dogwood flower is seen as a symbol of Christianity, divine sacrifice, and resurrection. The flowers’ cross-like shape further reinforces this religious symbolism. In art, dogwood flowers and trees are often depicted in scenes related to Easter and the crucifixion.
Beyond Christianity, the dogwood flower has come to generally symbolize rebirth, renewal, and purity. The flowers’ association with springtime blooming evokes themes of new beginnings (Source). Dogwood flowers and trees are common motifs in folk art, poetry, jewelry, and other crafts expressing these symbolic meanings.
Conservation Status
Flowering dogwood was once threatened by dogwood anthracnose, a disease caused by the fungus Discula destructiva that appeared in the 1970s and caused widespread dieback of dogwoods across North America (Flowering dogwood. 2023). The disease was devastating to many ornamental plantings and reduced native populations significantly. However, research found that dogwoods growing in forests under normal ecological conditions had greater disease resistance. The USDA now considers flowering dogwood stable across most of its native range, though it remains endangered in Maine and threatened in Vermont (FLOWERING DOGWOOD. n.d.).
While no longer threatened overall, flowering dogwood does face pressure from habitat loss and browsing by deer. Conservation efforts focus on protecting remaining habitat and allowing natural ecological processes to support healthy dogwood populations.
Growing Conditions
Flowering dogwood grows best in moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5-6.5. The trees prefer sandy loam soils that are high in organic matter. Avoid planting dogwoods in heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, as this can lead to root rot.
Dogwoods grow best when planted in a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. While they can tolerate partial sun, providing some midday shade helps prevent drought stress. According to the University of Georgia Extension, dogwoods grown in too much sun can suffer from sunscald, especially during winter.1
Flowering dogwood requires consistent moisture, especially as a young tree. Water young trees weekly if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Mature trees are somewhat drought tolerant but still require regular watering during dry periods.
Conclusion
In summary, flowering dogwood has many important uses and benefits for humans. Its beautiful spring blooms make it a prized ornamental tree in landscaping and gardens. The hard, durable wood has historically been used for products like tool handles, woodenware, and other specialty wood items. The berries provide an attractive food source for dozens of bird and mammal species. Various parts of the flowering dogwood, like the bark and roots, have long been used in herbal medicine. The tree also provides excellent wildlife habitat and cover. And it holds deep cultural meaning and symbolism in art, legends, and folklore. Despite some disease and pest threats, active conservation efforts aim to protect the flowering dogwood for future generations. This versatile and iconic native North American tree remains an integral part of both forests and human communities.