BROADLEAVED TREES OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK 



25 



PACIFIC DOGWOOD 

 Cornus nuftalli Audubon — Dogwood Family (Cornaceae) 



This is one of the most attractive 

 of Yosemite trees. Its beauty in the 

 spring, when it is characterized by 

 grecrt numbers of large, showy, 

 cream-white blossoms, vies with its 

 attractiveness in the fall. At the latter 

 season it is outstanding because cl 

 the brilliance of its crimson foliaga 

 and clusters of shiny red seeds. It 

 has long been a highlight of interest 

 in Yosemite National Park at those 

 times, and many people make spec- 

 ial trips to this area on such occas- 

 ions primarily to enjoy the colorful 

 spring and fall dogwood display. 



Although it is occasionally fouM/J 

 as high as 7,000 feet it is most gen- 

 erally noted at lower elevations. It is 

 partial to moist, well-drained soils of 

 mountain slopes and protected loca- 



tions in valley bottoms. One will note 

 it in abundance along the Wawona 

 Road, and along the Big Oak Flat 

 Road, as well as in many sections of 

 Yosemite Valley. In the latter place 

 it can be most readily found about 

 Happy Isles, in the vicinity of Fern 

 Springs, and about the Pohono 

 Bridge. 



The Pacific dogwood is not a large 

 tree. Mature specimens attain a 

 height of from twenty to fifty feet and 

 a diameter of from ten to twenty in- 

 ches. The trunk is generally straight 

 and characterized by smooth, thin, 

 dull gray bark. The crown is narrow 

 and is composed of short branches. 

 As it is intolerant of dense shade the 

 crown, when the tree is growing in 

 the dense forest, is short while the 

 trunk is long and clear. 



Photo by Brockman 



Foliage and flowers of dogwood {Jiich squares on background ) 



