Leaves: Opposite, simple, 3 to 6 inches long, 11/2 to 3 inches wide, pointed with veins curving toward the tip. Dark green and hairless above, lighter green with slight bloom below. The true flowers are not showy, but are surrounded by 4 white petal like bracts that are dazzling in the spring lasting 10 to 14 days. Beautiful dark red fall color of the leaves makes the dogwood a highlight of the fall viewing experience

LOCATION

Owner: Athens Regional Medical Center
Nominated by: Liz Conroy, Brooke DeVere
Accessible: Yes, Prince Ave. at Talmage Drive, and next to the bus stop.
Coordinates: State Plane
GA West NAD83 (feet)
E: 2,529,670 N: 1,442,199


Notes: Because of the spring flowers and fall colors, the dogwood has become one of the most planted (if not over planted) landscape trees from Maine to Florida. Preferring acid soils, the dogwood has tolerance over a wide range of growing sites, and yet can be difficult to plant successfully. The dogwood does well in the piedmont, and because of its small size is ideal for street plantings under power lines. Unfortunately, the dogwood is also susceptible to a wide variety of insect pests and diseases, the most serious of which is a stem and leaf anthracnose fungus.

Bark: Characterized by small square or rectangular gray to blackish blocks, having an overall scaly appearance.