We were out for a walk this weekend, when we spoke to a neighbor, I noted his profusely blooming Japanese Dogwood tree.
The gorgeous tree was covered in white to greenish-white “flowers” making it a real eye catching feature.
I came back and snapped a few photographs for today’s blog because everyone loves to see beautiful trees.
All the photographs in today’s blog were taken of my neighbor’s tree
Japanese Dogwood Tree Facts
The Japanese (Kousa) Dogwood tree is also known as the Chinese Dogwood tree. It is native to China, Japan, Korea and other parts of Asia.
Kousa actually means dogwood in Japanese.
It is a small to medium sized tree growing up to 30 feet tall. It generally blooms two to three weeks after the native dogwood trees bloom and is a deciduous tree.
In the fall, the tree produces a reddish colored fruit or berry which are edible to humans and animals. The fruit is high in pectin so it is perfect for jams and jellies. Also, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife like to eat the berry-like fruit. I know my neighbor doesn’t’ eat the berries.
This tree is also more disease and insect resistant than its American cousin.
This tree was first brought to the United States in 1875.
“Flowers” on the Japanese Dogwood Tree
Interestingly enough, the “flowers” are not flowers at all but modified leaves called bracts. So that makes them much like the poinsettia plant.
In the center of the bracts are the actual flowers. Their flowers are actually very small, white and insignificant.
If you look closely the the below photograph, you will see the flower parts in the top “flower” as small dots around the center.
Ending Notes
This tree is both a flowering and ornamental tree used by landscapers.
What a lovely tree to have in your yard so that you can see it bloom every year and appreciate the wonders of nature.
It is, also, nice to take a walk in the neighborhood and see something that was planted that will naturally feed the birds and other wild animals in the area.