#17. Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii

Family:

Dogwood Family

Habitat:

Open woods, forest understory

Characteristics:

1. Tree grows 20-30 feet.

2. Blossom of large white sepals surrounding compact head of tiny greenish flowers. Blooms in April to June. Showy.

3. Opposite oval leaves turn bright red in fall.

Uses:

1. Early settlers used branches and skewers or "dags". Boiled bark was used as a quinine substitute for a laxative.

2. The hardwood is used for tool handles.

3. Dogwood is a popular garden ornamental which sometimes blooms again in September.