Cornus mas (Seedling)

Cornelian Cherry dogwood, also known as Cornus mas is a spring blooming medium to large shrub. Before the leaves emerge, it produces dense, round clusters of striking, lemon-yellow flowers all over the bare branches. These bright yellow flowers will persist on the tree for several weeks. The Cornelian Cherry tree is one of the earliest blooming trees in the spring. It even blooms before Forsythias.

The blooms are followed by beautiful single-seeded, cherry-like, red drupes (1.6 cm long) in midsummer. Fruits are edible, and they may be used for syrups and preserves.

Cornelian Cherry Dogwood trees are partially self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit when self-pollinating, but they will generally produce more fruit with cross-pollination from another variety. Planting multiple trees can lead to better fruit yields.

Cornel leaves are green, ovate, 10 cm long, and will turn orange-purple in fall. The trunk will become scaly, and exfoliate when it matures. It prefers full sun to partial shade and does well in moist, well-drained soil. A mature Cornelian Cherry tree can grow up to 15 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Promptly remove the root suckers to limit its spread. It can be trained as a small tree.

Cornus mas is hardy to USDA zone 4a. It is known for its extraordinary resistance to dogwood anthracnose and dogwood borer. It can be grown as a hedge, in masses, as a specimen plant, or close to a patio in urban environments.