Flowering Dogwood

Description

Flowering dogwood is a small shade tree growing 30-40 feet in height. It usually develops several main branches. Flowering dogwood is valued by homeowners and landscapers for its showy white flowers in spring and dark red foliage and fruit in fall. Flowering dogwood is tolerant of shade, commonly found in moist soils in the understory of mixed hardwood forests. Flowering dogwood is highly valuable as a wildlife food source. Fruit is eaten by a wide range of wildlife including songbirds, game birds, squirrels, beavers, foxes, black bear, and white-tailed deer. At the height of the American textile industry during the industrial revolution, its wood was used to make shuttles for looms. Flowering dogwood is susceptible to anthracnose, particularly at sites with high humidity.