Alternate Leaved Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia

Size: 3 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 30’ tall x 15’ wide
Average size: 15′ tall x 10′ wide

Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Loam, Muck, Sand
Part Shade, Shade
No Salt Tolerance

AKA: Pagoda Dogwood

This deciduous, spring-blooming tree has interesting white flowers and a red fall color. In late summer, it fruits with inedible black fruit. It makes a great small specimen tree, since it’s showy in multiple seasons. If it needs pruned, its best to do so in late winter or early spring. It attracts many polinators such as long-tongued bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. It is the larval host for cecropia silkmoth (Hyalophora cecropia) and spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon).

The branches and leaves were historically used for making arrows and smoking. The wood was also used for carvings and loom shuttles. Various tribes used the bark, which contains antibacterial tannins, that support the use of it for skin problems such as blisters, ulcers, cancer, sores, etc. The bark made into an infusion also acts as an emetic and laxative.