April 13 - 19 Japanese Cornell Dogwood

This week, you will note incredible changes in our specimen trees across the Arboretum as buds begin to swell and leaves begin to take form.

In particular, you may want to take a look at the Japanese Cornel Dogwoodtrees, Cornus officinalis, located in the Main Parking Lot on the Medford Campus.

Native to China, Japan and Korea, this tree usually grows as a large, spreading, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub to 15-25' tall, but it also may be grown as a small tree.  Yellow flowers are in bloom now to be followedby leaves in 3/4" wide clusters.  The fall brings oblong red fruits (drupes) that are very colorful.  The exfoliating bark with tones of tones of gray and brown make this a specimen to enjoy through all the seasons.