Eastern Flowering Dogwood
Scientific Name: Cornus florida
Common Names: flowering dogwood, dogwood
Family: Cornaceae
Native Range: eastern North America from southern Ontario and New England to eastern Texas and northern Florida
Typical: small understory or forest-edge tree
Maximum recorded heights: 3–10 m
Trunk Diameter
Average:
Maximum: ~20–30 cm
Growth Rate: (Slow Medium Fast): slow to medium
Lifespan:
Typical Lifespan: ~80–125 years
Record Age:
Seed Maturity (age at which it starts producing viable seeds): ~5–8 years
Reproductive Cycle (how often it produces seeds..e.g., every 2–3 years): annually once mature
Soil Preferences (preferred soil type..e.g., sandy loam, well-drained): moist, well‑drained loam or sandy loam
Water Needs (moisture requirements..e.g., drought tolerance): moderate moisture; not tolerant of severe drought or saturated soils
Canadian & USDA Hardiness Zones: Canada zone 6; USDA zones 5–9
Bark:
Young trees: greenish‑brown to grey, smooth
Mature Trees: rough, brownish‑grey, breaking into quadrangular plates
Needles (or Leaves)
Number per bundle:
Length: 5–15 cm
Shape: simple, opposite, ovate to broadly oval
Colour: medium green summer foliage turning red in autumn
Cones:
Size:
Shape:
Scales:
Color:
Seeds:
Size: 7–9 mm (ellipsoid)
Dispersal: by birds and small mammals
Growth Form
Shape: spreading, layered branching / horizontal tiers
Height: 3–10 m
Reproductive Features
Flowers: small green-yellow flowers in terminal clusters surrounded by 4 large white bracts
Male:
Female:
Pollination: insect-pollinated, cross-pollination improves seed set
Seed Maturity: late summer to early autumn
Unique Features: showy white bracts that appear before leaves; opposite leaves
Fire Resistance: Rating (low, medium, high): low
Fire Regeneration: Ability to regenerate post-fire: limited/regrowth from base possible but not fire-adapted
Shade Tolerance: moderately shade-tolerant understory species
Strength Rating: (Wood durability and load-bearing properties): wood is hard, fine-grained, strong but not typically used structurally
Decay Resistance: moderate; susceptible to fungal disease
Pest/Disease Resistance: susceptible to dogwood anthracnose, canker, borers
Climate Adaptability: best in temperate climates; sensitive to drought/soil extremes
Uses:
Timber (construction, furniture, etc): historically used for small specialty items
Non-timber products (e.g., resin, wildlife habitats): ornamental planting; wildlife food and habitat
Ecological Role:
Importance for wildlife (e.g., food for squirrels, birds): fruits eaten by birds and mammals
Role in forest ecosystems (e.g., stabilizing soil, providing canopy): understory species contributing to forest diversity and edge habitats
Cultural Significance:
Historical Use: limited traditional use noted (some medicinal uses)
Threats: (Current conservation concerns or invasive threats): dogwood anthracnose disease causing declines; listed endangered in parts of range
Governmental Sources
Canada – Species at Risk Public Registry: eastern flowering dogwood (canada.ca)
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – Species profiles (ontario.ca)
USDA Forest Service – Silvics of North America (fs.usda.gov)