How to Identify Dogwood Trees

A dogwood's flower is one identifying characteristic of the tree.

Even though the deciduous dogwood tree (Cornus) is widespread in the eastern United States, it's also adapted to a variety of climates, from hot and humid (flowering dogwood) to severely cold (Siberian dogwood). Despite their diversity, most dogwood trees have several of the same characteristics. They grow, bloom and leaf in similar ways, which helps you to identify these ornamental trees, no matter where they're growing.

Instructions

1. Measure the height of a mature tree. In general, dogwoods grow 15 to 20 feet in the shade. In the sun, their height can reach 40 feet.

2. Check for bracts--pink, yellow or white modified leaves that look like flower petals and spread three to six inches across. Clustered in the center of each bract, you'll see a dogwood's true flowers, which are small and yellow-greenish.

3. Pay attention to the foliage's color. In spring, the dogwood's leaves are light green, changing to deep green in summer. In fall, the foliage becomes red or reddish-purple.

4. Look for drupes about 1/3 inch long. Some varieties, including the flowering dogwood and Cornelian cherry, produce small red fruit in clusters of three to five in the fall.

5. Observe how the tree branches. In general, a dogwood's branches grow in horizontal tiers. Kousa dogwoods look shrubby, however.

6. Check out the tree's winter bark color. A dogwood's will be gray-black and checkered.

Tips & Warnings

• To measure a tree's height, use a straight stick the length of your arm. Walk away from the tree while holding the stick upright at arm's length. Stop when you can no longer see the trunk's centerline. Measure the distance between where you are and the base of the tree to find its approximate height.

References

• Clemson University Extension: Dogwood
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System: Selection and Care of Dogwoods