ILLINOIS TRE£S: SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE 



55 



Dogwood 



Of the several species of dogwood native to the United States, 

 only four attain tree size and only two of these are common in 

 Illinois — flowering dogwood (Co)-nus florida) and alternate- 

 leaved or pagoda dogwood (C alternifoUa) . The introduced cor- 

 nelian cherry (C. mas) and flowering dogwood are recommended 

 for landscape purposes. These dogwoods grow to a height of 

 20-25 feet, with a branch spread of 15-25 feet. They grow best 

 in rich soil. 



In Illinois, flowering dogwood is common in the woodlands 

 south of a line through Hancock, Mason, Piatt, Champaign, and 

 Vermilion counties. Alternate-leaved dogwood occurs in the 

 northern part of the state, extending southward into Vermilion 

 and Champaign counties. South of this area, it is recorded from 

 Adams, Pike, Calhoun, Coles, Clark, Jackson, Union, Alexander, 

 and Pope counties. In woodlands, dogwood grows as an under- 

 story tree or as a shrub. 



Flowering dogwood (Fig. 55), which prefers an acid soil, 

 is the most widely grown dogwood and it is valued especially be- 

 cause of its showy, early-spring flowers. It produces a low- 



Fig. 55. — Flowering 

 dogwood is a small tree 

 valued for its showy, 

 early-spring flowers. 

 The oval-shaped firm 

 leaves (inset) are 

 bright green above and 

 pale green beneath. 



