White Flowering Dogwood Tree

White Flowering Dogwood Tree

The state tree for Missouri and Virginia, the white flowering dogwood provides an ethereal beauty to any landscape with its white blossoms in the spring. Additionally it doesn’t grow too large (it stays around 15-25 feet) so it won’t disturb utility lines and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Moreover, this tree is native to North America and Native Americans made medicinal teas with the bark. 

Growing Characteristics

• Uses: This tree is perfect for landscaping, especially near utility lines, patios, and larger buildings. Moreover you can use the bark for medicinal purposes.
• Size/Shape: At maturity, this tree has a height of 25′ and a spread of around 25′.
• Color: In the spring, these trees are known for their white flowers. However in the fall, the leaves turn a beautiful red-purple. When the bright red fruits are ripe, songbirds come to enjoy them.
• Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Pests and Diseases
  • Anthracnose and Decline
  • Leaf and flower blight
  • Crown canker
  • Powdery mildew
• Bloom Period: The white dogwood blooms in April–May.
• Pollination: When the trees bloom many insects help pollinate the flowers. 
• Cultivation: With partial sun (it prefers dapples shade) and proper pruning, watering, and mulching maintenance these trees can grow 13–24″ per year. You can also add a beneficial fungi to its soil called mycorrhizal fungi which will help grow its roots by 20 times and prevent some root diseases.
• Soil Preference: The white dogwood can grow in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. However it does prefer moist conditions.
• Wildlife Value: Many birds and various animals such as foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and beavers eat the fruit. Deer and rabbits also browse the foliage and twigs. 

Check out our guides page for information on how to take care of trees.