Dogwoods (Cornus spp.) are popular ornamental trees known for their showy spring flowers, attractive fall foliage, and bright red berries. Many species of dogwood also have attractive bark, which adds interest to the winter landscape. Dogwoods are native to East Tennessee and can be found growing in both wooded and open areas. They typically grow to be 15-30 feet tall and wide. Flowering dogwoods have a moderate growth rate and prefer moist, well-drained soils. Full sun is best for flower production, but dogwoods will tolerate light shade. Flowering dogwoods produce beautiful, four-petaled white flowers in early spring. These flowers are actually clusters of small flowers surrounded by large, showy bracts. The flowers are followed by small, red fruits that are popular with birds. In fall, the leaves of flowering dogwoods turn a brilliant red, providing color in the landscape when most other trees have lost their leaves. If you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance tree for your landscape, consider a flowering dogwood. Just be sure to give it the proper growing conditions and plenty of room to spread its branches.
Almost all trees and shrubs should be planted in the fall. Experts with the University of Tennessee Extension agree that dogwoods can be planted late in the fall and early in the spring. Since 2009, over 11,000 dogwood trees have been planted in East Tennessee by the Dogwood Arts organization. When dogwood is planted in late autumn, the plant’s survival rate improves dramatically. Because it is less expensive to plant in December, it requires less water and maintenance to keep a young tree alive. Stanley’s sells dogwood containers of all sizes, ranging from small starter trees to large trees with large root structures.
Because dogwood trees are native to Tennessee, they are better suited to East Tennessee’s unpredictable weather. However, as a result of a fungal disease known as anthracnose, dogwood trees across the country have seen a decline in recent decades.
Can Dogwood Trees Grow In Tennessee?
Dogwoods are one of the most popular trees in Tennessee. They are known for their beautiful flowers and attractive leaves. Dogwoods can be found in nearly every county in Tennessee. They grow best in moist, well-drained soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. Dogwoods are relatively tolerant of shade, but prefer full sun.
Many people regard the colors and habits of the flowers as one of the most appealing aspects of the dogwood tree (Cornus spp.). The majority of this species prefers temperate climates, but this varies by species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zones for dogwood plants range from 3 to 8 degrees. North Americans are familiar with flowering dogwood and pagoda dogwood, both of which are native to the country. The kousa dogwood is indigenous to Asia, particularly Korea, Japan, and China. A soil with a sandy texture, an acidic pH, and a lot of organic matter is ideal for growing trees. Insects, such as scale, aphids, and thrips, can infest trees.
California dogwood is a hardy tree that can be found in a variety of locations across the United States. In its native range, it prefers partial or full sun sites, but it also prefers shady spots in the south. It is a tree that blooms in both dry and wet woods across Kentucky.
The Different Zones For Dogwood Trees
The ability of dogwood trees to survive in cold climates is a key selling point. Zone 2 is the most difficult zone to grow for dogwood trees, while Zone 5 is the most difficult. Trees in zone 3 can withstand some frost, but not as much as those in zones 4 and 5. In Zone 4, trees can tolerate extremely cold temperatures, whereas in Zone 5, they can be subjected to even greater temperatures. Planting dogwood trees can be done in zones three through eight of the USDA plant hardiness scale. In general, dogswood trees thrive in moist, well-drained soils, in areas with partial or full shade, and in soils with no shade. The U.S. Department of Agriculture categorizes dogwood plants into three to eight zones based on their plant hardiness. Some of these trees, such as the redtwig dogwood (Cornus alba) and the pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), are hardy to USDA zones 2 and 7, though the latter is only hardy to USDA zones 7. The trees that bloom in Kentucky’s forests are dry to wet and can be found in a variety of wood types. The disease was first reported as a disease of flowering dogwood in the United States in 1978. In the last 15 years, it has caused significant damage to flowering dogwood found in forests and ornamental plants throughout much of the Eastern and Southern United States. How many years does it take for dogwood to grow in this country? The growth of a dogwood tree can be thought of as being as rapid as 20 feet per year. The mature dogwood can reach a height of up to 40 feet with the right conditions. The foliage of dogwood trees has a rounded shape with a spread, roughly the same as that of a tree’s height.