MAY 15 EDITION OF "ASK THE ARBORIST"

Today our "Ask the Arborist" will look at the flowering Dogwood Tree.  All around Newtown, CT Flowering Dogwoods are in full bloom (see photo).  The Flowering Dogwood tree (Cornus florida) pronounced KOR-nus FLOR-ih-duh is a member of Cornaceae family which according to "Wikipedia" contains approximately 110 species of plants mostly trees and shrubs.  If you look closely at the first photo you will note our specimen tree has both white and pink flowers.  This tree was propagated with both white and pink flowers, as this would not occur naturally.  Most common Dogwoods found in the forest are of the white variety.  According to "The University of Florida IFAS Extension" Flowering Dogwood is the state tree of Virginia.  This is not a fast growing tree and generally reaches a maximum height of around 25ft.
Flowering Dogwoods are comfortable within the USDA hardiness zones of 5 - 8A making it a perfect choice for our Newtown, CT zone 6A. Dogwood trees are native to North America and are often used around patios, or for making a screen.  The Flowering Dogwood has the brilliant white or pink blooms in spring and red berry fruit for the fall, which can become quite an attraction to birds.  Flowering Dogwood is quite adaptive to many sites full sun, part sun or shade.  On your next visit to your local Newtown Forest Association preserve, check out the Flowering Dogwoods growing well as a shaded understory species.  My experience has shown planting Dogwoods in full sun may result in sunscald on the trunk.  A partial shade location would be a better choice.
Lastly I must caution, PLEASE don't transplant Dogwoods from the forest into your yard.  There are some fungal diseases out there that could infect other Dogwoods in your area.  
As with all your tree questions contact your local Yacko and Sons Staff Forester / Licensed Arborist FOR YOUR FREE LOOK-UP FROM THE TRUNK-UP!
jeff@yackoandsons.com