Leaves
Opposite, simple, decidious, 3" to 6" long, 1.5" to 2" wide, usually oval, acute or slender; apex pointed; base, wedge-shaped, often unequal.
Bark
Broken into small squarish and rectangular, grayish brown to blackish blocks, having the effect similar to alligator skin. A strong recognition feature especially in winter.
Flower
Usually at end of stem, biscuit-shaped, flattened covered by two large silky pubescent outer scales, another two inner scales at 90 degrees to the outer two. These become the showy white bracts.
|
Flowering Dogwood
(Cornus florida L.)
A Tree for all Seasons
Flowering Dogwood
Clarke County Champion
Habit
The Dogwood is a small, brushy tree, 15' to rarely 40' in height, with a short trunk 6" to 18" in diameter. Several large, wide-spreading branches form a low dense, rounded head. Size is variable with location, with the spread often equal to or greater than the height. Clarke County champion is 82" in circumference (26" diameter), 38' tall with a spread of 42'. The tree is located at the Athens Regional Medical Center, near the corner of Talmadge Dr. and Prince Ave.
Previously featured Trees of the Piedmont
- the White Oak
- the Eastern Redcedar
- the Loblolly Pine
|
General
Probably no tree is used more in the landscape than the dogwood from Maine to Florida. From bright white flowers in the spring, dazzling red foliage in the fall and bright red berries in the winter, dogwoods can be found in yards, fields and woodlots, but none more outstanding than along public rights-of-way (See below).
On the Boulevard
Planting Prince
Planting Prince
Commercial
Other than its landscape value, the dogwood has limited commercial value. Its wood is used for shuttles, bobbins, tool handles and golf club heads because of its very tough, hard wood. In colonial times, brew made from bark used as a quinine substitute.
|
