Dogwood Tree Flower Buds

Both flowering dogwood and cornelian cherry blossom before they produce leaves while kousa produces flowers after it has produced leaves.

Dogwood tree flower buds. In spring these native trees cornus florida which grow only to 20 to 30 feet explode with white or sometimes pink or red bracts centered with small clusters of yellow flowers shouting that winter is finally over. The house i live in used to be my grandparents house and it is the house where my mother grew up. The tree was planted by my grandfather john westerfield when i was in college 20 years ago. The bracts are white and about 2 inches long and are effective for 10 days to two weeks in april or early may.

Flowering dogwood was officially declared missouri s state tree in 1955. It delights us with its beauty all year long with its clouds of white flowers visible in springtime woodlands its attractive green midsummer foliage its brilliant red or orange leaves and bright red berries in fall and its interesting bark in winter. The true flowers of dogwoods are clustered at the center of the bracts. New spring buds grow on the branches of the dogwood tree growing in the front yard of my house.

The true flower is greenish yellow and insignificant. Borers are a big threat to flowering dogwood especially when its trunk is damaged by lawn mowers. The blossom colors may be white pink or yellow. A dogwood tree not blooming may be caused by improper pruning.

In spring dogwood trees explode with white or sometimes pink or red bracts centered with small clusters of yellow flowers. Pruning dogwoods at other times can remove the immature buds and cause the dogwood tree not to flower.