Flowering Dogwood

Researched by Dominick Cipolone

Species: 

Coordinates: 39.70903591, -75.12119101

Tree Tag: 585
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

Flowering dogwood, or Cornus florida, is often planted as an ornamental because of its attractive white or pink blooms. Native to most of North America, Flowering dogwood is found in varied climates and grows to an average height of 15 to 20 feet, making it ideal for forest understories or as an ornamental in a garden. 

This species is typically found in the shady margins of forests and thrives with the right balance of sunlight and shade. Dogwoods are prone to anthracnose, a fungal infection that causes the leaves, flowers, and stems to turn brown and decay. As the disease works its way from the leaves and flowers, it goes into the stems to form cankers, making it hard to save the tree.

During the spring months, the tree produces beautiful cross-shaped blooms. In the center of each is a cluster of small yellow-green flowers that are bisexual, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. The flower petals are small and green in the clustered center, and the modified leaves, called bracts, take on the colorful, showy role of attracting pollinators. Read More