The Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a widely-planted, small, deciduous tree native to the eastern and central U.S.

The species grows 20-30 feet on average, with about the same width in maturity. It is shade-tolerant and sensitive to soil moisture due to its shallow rooting depth.

Leaves are oval to ovate shape, 3-6 inches long, 1.5”x3” wide, opposite and simple. Medium green leaves turn to red or reddish-purple, generally showy leaves in the fall that come early and hold for an extended period.

Flowers are small and yellowish green. Blooms display four, 2-to-4 inch white (sometimes pink or red) bracts that bloom in mid-May for about two weeks prior to the tree leafing out.

[Editor’s Note: I have already seen some blooms displaying in East Rock. Can you find one?]

Bracts feature notched tips and are followed by small clusters of shiny red berries—relished by birds for their high lipid content.

In a forest context, Flowering Dogwood attains its best development growing in understory beneath larger hardwoods.

These “exceptionally beautiful plants” favor cool, moist, acidic soil with adequate amounts of organic matter, according also struggle when faced with heat stress, drought and pollutants, “so site carefully,” according to Dawn Pettinelli of the UConn Home & Garden Education Center.

May is a great time to plant Flowering Dogwoods at your property, alongside other spring flowering trees like Redbuds, native shadbush or serviceberry, Carolina silverbells or star magnolia, Pettinelli wrote.

Bark is ark-gray/brown/black and is “quite attractive,” developing small square or rectangular blocks that resemble alligator skin.

The species is susceptible to anthracnose infection and Dogwood Borer and is in decline throughout its native range.
»Excellent Specimen: 79 Anderson St.(not pictured)

https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/2024/05/16/tips-on-selecting-a-flowering-tree