Trees of Pennsylvania Field Guide by Stan Tekiela

Author:Stan Tekiela
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647552053
Publisher: Adventure Publications
Published: 2021-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Alternate-leaf Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

bark

flower

fruit

    Family: Dogwood (Cornaceae)

    Height: 25–35' (7.5–11 m)

      Tree: small understory tree, usually a single trunk with multi-horizontal tiers of branches, resulting in a layered appearance

      Leaf: simple, oval, 2–5" (5–12.5 cm) in length, alternately attached, pointed tip, margin lacking teeth, deep-curving (arcuate) parallel veins, dark green above, whitish below, leaves are often clustered at ends of the branches

      Bark: gray, thin and smooth

    Flower: a small white-to-cream flower, ¼–½" (.6–1 cm) wide, in round clusters, 3–5" (7.5–12.5 cm) wide

      Fruit: green berry-like fruit (drupe), turning white to blue to nearly black at maturity, round, ¼" (.6 cm) diameter, on a red fruit stalk

 Fall Color: red

Origin/Age: native; 40–60 years

    Habitat: well-drained open woodlands, forest edges, shade

    Range: throughout

Stan’s Notes: A common understory tree that rarely gets taller than 35 feet (11 m), typically cultivated as an ornamental tree for landscaping. Its alternately attached leaves are unique, as other dogwoods have oppositely attached leaves. Branches are distinctly horizontal, growing in tiers, hence another common name, Pagoda Dogwood. “Pagoda” refers to a type of religious building in East Asia that has many stories or levels, just like the many levels of branches on this tree. Look for the clusters of oval leaves near ends of branches.

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