Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

 

Interesting & key characteristics:

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Height: The average height is 40ft, spread 35ft with a medium growth rate

Fruit: Has scarlet, egg shaped berries

Bark: Purplish green on young twigs

Flowers: Small and white, surrounded by 4 large, white petal-like bracts; they appear before the leaves in early spring.

 

Unique benefit (how it helps our planet):

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A lot of animals rely on the flowering dogwood as a food source for wild turkey and forest birds. This tree is mostly used for landscaping.

 

Sources: Missouri trees, Missouri Department of Conservation; Show Me Trees, Leaf Identification Guide, Missouri Department of Conservation

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

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