
Cornus
Dogwoods · also Cornels, Pagoda dogwood, Alternate-leaved dogwood
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Cornus is a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs known for their blossoms, berries, and distinctive bark. Cornus alternifolia, or pagoda dogwood, is a small deciduous tree with a distinctive tiered branching habit, turning vibrant red in fall. It requires consistent moisture and performs best in cool, shaded conditions.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 1,0070.19%—3.9 in
- 4190.21%9.6 yr3.0 in
- 3950.06%—2.4 in
- 2480.02%—1.0 in
- 1490.08%—4.5 in
- 1160.33%—2.0 in
- 560.02%—4.0 in
- 410.06%—2.0 in
- 400.01%—3.0 in
- 260.05%5.8 yr—
- 250.01%25 yr6.7 in
- 250.01%—0.4 in
- 230.01%11 yr5.9 in
- 220.02%23 yr8.7 in
- 200.03%—1.6 in
- 200.01%—2.4 in
- 160.01%0.3 yr3.0 in
- 110.05%—2.4 in
- 60.00%—7.0 in
- 60.01%—2.0 in
- 50.00%—2.8 in
- 50.03%—3.9 in
- 40.00%—2.6 in
- 30.00%—9.0 in
- 20.02%—3.5 in
- 20.00%——
- 10.00%—7.9 in
Traits
- Form
- Spreading
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 20–25 ft
- Canopy spread
- 20 ft
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Drought tolerance
- Low
- Wildlife value
- High
- Blooms
- Mar, Apr, May
Trunk diameters across every city: median 3.9 in, mean 3.8 in, 90th percentile 5.2 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Eastern Canadian Forest-Boreal transition
- Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests
Boreal Forests/Taiga
- Eastern Canadian forests
Other Cornus in the catalogue
16 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.