Dogwood is a native of North America and the south of northern New England, Minnesota, and Wyoming. It is one of the most prevalent trees in North Carolina and can be found in all parts of the state from the mountains to the coast. It is called Cornus florida, American Dogwood and Flowering Dogwood.

 

Dogwoods are deciduous trees that grow to 15-40 feet in height and are generally wider than they are tall.

 

Dogwood has four white "petals" in the flower. There aren't petals at all, but rather bracts, which are modified leaves. The actual flowers are tiny greenish-yellow objects in the center of the thing people usually call dogwood flowers, but which is actually a flowering head. The Dogwood flower bracts surround a cluster of tiny inconspicuous yellowish flowers. The bracts are 1-2 inches long and obovate in shape, usually with a cleft at the tip. There are clusters of bright red football shaped fruits, about a half inch long, following the Dogwood flowers and often remain until winter.

 

Dogwood leaves are simple, 3-5 in. in length, and opposite. There are two reddish scales covering each leaf bud. Dogwood bark is reddish-brown to reddish gray. Dogwoods have single or multiple trunks, and mature trees usually take on a flat-topped appearance In winter, button shaped buds are prominent on the tips of the Dogwood twigs.

 

It blossoms in early spring and continue on into summer. In fall, the upper part of the leaves turns scarlet or orange and bright red fruits grow on the tree. It needs a well drained rich soil to grow well.

 

Dogwood cures violent toothache, neuralgia and whooping-cough. It is one of the most popular ornamental trees appreciated for its beauty, and for its use as the background. The interesting Dogwood bark texture and branches help create an excellent winter silhouette. The Oil extracted from the fruit of the blood-twig Dogwood is used in France for making soap, and the wood of several species is used in furniture.

 

Did you know?

·        It has been adopted as the official flower of the State of North Carolina.

·        There are forty different types of Dogwood.

·        The word dogwood comes from dagwood, from the use of the slender stems of very hard wood for making 'dags' (daggers, skewers).