Plant Profile: Cornus mas

This compact tree or sizable shrub is appreciated for its vibrant blooms that appear in early spring. It features flaking bark and is easy to transplant, making it a resilient and versatile choice for gardens. This plant can grow into a large shrub or a small tree and propagates through suckers, so it's important to remove them promptly. Typically, its branches extend close to the ground. It is tolerant of various soil types and pH levels, including heavy clay. However, deer may feed on its leaves and twigs.

**Seasons of Interest:**
- **Foliage:** Fall
- **Bloom:** Early Summer
- **Fruit:** Red berries in Summer to Fall
- **Bark:** Winter

**Insects, Diseases, and Other Issues:**
Common problems include calico scale, dogwood sawfly, Japanese maple scale, leafhoppers, oyster shell scale, as well as leaf and flower blight (botrytis), crown canker, bacterial leaf scorch, powdery mildew, and septoria leaf spot.