I really like dogwood trees... every spring I admire their beauty as I drive around the city. I have never had a dogwood tree and I have never been close enough to take pictures of one until this year. They are such beautiful trees and I would love to have one in my yard.
I have often thought that it would be a great tree for our yard, but we haven't had room for another tree. We do like trees and we have decided there is no more room for trees on our 1/4 acre property.. so no more trees until we move to more property, if we ever do. :)
We did cut a redbud tree down a week ago, so I wonder.... Hmmm.... how would a dogwood tree do if we planted one there? It would be beautiful, BUT I remember my experience with the lovely Wisteria... and how I should have done my homework on it before I bought it.
Beware of the Lovely Wisteria!
After I remembered that, I decided to do some research on the dogwood tree. One thing I found is that it is an understory tree-it doesn't get very large and it likes some shade-especially in the afternoon. Sounds perfect for the spot I have in mind. :)
Another important thing to me about more permanent plantings in my yard is if they have any other uses to me. I love figuring out how to use what is in our yard... like the pine trees
Pinecones-Are They Edible? Hmmm...
Pine Needle Carpet , the peach tree, blueberry bushes and more. It sort of makes them doubly useful... so, I needed to continue my research.
From different sources, I found that various parts of the tree are beneficial.... the inner bark, berries, twigs, flowers, peel, and leaves. Wow. Some interesting things I found were:
-Dogwood was used in the south during the Civil War for malarial fevers and chronic diarrhea
-Native Americans used dogwood "chewing sticks" and in 1830, it was noticed that their teeth were very white.
-the bark has been used to make an ointment....that has been used as a substitute for Quinine, and to treat fever and pneumonia
- twigs can be used as toothpicks and toothbrushes-A tincture can be made from the leaves or bark... to treat eczema, skin infections, intestinal parasites, gout and more.
-has been used as a tea to bring fevers down
-parts have been used externally as a poultice for ulcers and sores
-has been used as an astringent, stimulant, tonic and more.
-the fruit can be made into marmalade or syrup
There is still more research to be done, but what I have found makes me think that I would be happy to have the dogwood tree in my yard. I'm not sure how I would choose between the white or pink or red, but I'll figure that out if we ever decide to get one..... and if the price is cheap enough. :) It sure would look nice in the island bed near where the redbud tree was. Hmm... It isn't necessary, but you never know... sometimes I come across a wonderful sale.... I'll probably be watching. :)
Thank you for visiting my blog today. What I wrote here is the result of some limited research I did... but I would always encourage you to do your own research before using the information here. I was not researching to use these ideas.. I was only researching to see if the Dogwood is a tree that would be beneficial to us... and my conclusion is yes, it certainly would be beneficial. :)
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When I think of a Dogwood, I always think of this story that I heard in my childhood:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.booksie.com/religion_and_spirituality/poetry/mistress_of_word_play/*legend-of-the-dogwood*
I have heard of the legend of the dogwood also... and I should have referenced that in this post.... thank you for reminding me of it. :) So glad you visited.
DeleteI'm in love with your pictures, they're beautiful. My mother has a dogwood tree in her yard, I believe it's a white, but the flowers are looking more green than white... I had no idea there where so many uses for them. Might have to get a branch or two, to see what it's like as a "chewing" stick.... How white can I get my teeth ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for the berries, I think I might just leave them for the birds....
Thanks for sharing
Thank you... I was so glad to finally be close enough to a tree to take some pictures. :) I love it that they are beautiful trees AND are also useful for so much. The chewing sticks are small twigs, so you probably don't want to gnaw on a branch!!! :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteBeautiful photos... lovely contrast... marvelous composition.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-bubble-man.html
Thank you... it is so nice when the subject matter is so beautiful! :)
DeleteGorgeous pics!!! Thank you so much for coming by and saying hi! :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week.
~Liz
Thank you! I'm so glad you visited :) Enjoy the beautiful weather. :)
DeleteBeautiful pictures, I love the dogwoods of all the flowering trees!
ReplyDeleteThank you... they are so lovely... I really enjoy them. :)
DeleteI love dogwoods too! They're gorgeous flowers, and you took beautiful photos of them.
ReplyDeleteThey really are so beautiful.... thank you for your encouraging words. :) I'm glad you visited.
DeleteYour photos are beautiful. I love dogwoods too and you just captured some really great shots. I have painted dogwoods and they are so fun to do. I hope you get one in your yard someday. Thank you for sharing this wonderful research you did along with the pics. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHugs, CM
Thank you... painting them sounds lovely and I do hope to get one in my yard at some point! :) We'll see.... it may have to wait, but I am so glad to have been close to a couple of them this year anyway. :) What a sweet and encouraging comment.
DeleteThose dogwoods are so beautiful. I only recently discovered just how lovely they are. Sure hope you find room in your yard, or move to more property!
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful... a very unique tree... and my appreciation for them keeps growing. :) Thank you for visiting. :)
DeleteI love dogwood trees too! We have tried to plant dogwood and redwood but neither has survived very long. Do you have any good suggestions on how to get them to grow and survive? Your article was very good and I didn't realize that dogwood had some many medicinal uses. Love your pictures too. Twitted
ReplyDeleteI will have to learn how to get them to survive also as I have never had one, but hope to change that someday! :) I was glad to find out that there are so many uses for dogwood and I am glad you found it helpful also. I will be doing much more research if I ever do get one. :) Thank you for visiting and for your encouragement. :)
DeleteThank you for joining our Oh my Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday! Stunning photos! Evija @fromevijawithlove Co hosting OMHG Wordless Wednesday
ReplyDeleteThank you.... and thank you for a great link up party. :)
DeleteDogwood trees are quite beautiful! We don't have them around here so seeing them in your pictures is a real delight :) Thank you, my dear, for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful... they don't last too long... maybe a couple of weeks, but they are quite stunning while they are here. I'm glad you enjoyed them and I am so glad you visited. :) Thank you for the great link up party.
DeleteWho knew?! I love Dogwoods, so it was really interesting to learn something new about them today. Thank you so much for joining us for Hump Day Happenings!
ReplyDeleteI do too... they are so beautiful... and it is even better to learn of their helpfulness also. :)
DeleteWhat pretty blossoms! We don't see those here, so I enjoyed the photos and the information. :)
ReplyDeleteThey are so pretty.... how sad you don't have these, although you probably have many beauties that we don't see here either. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteGorgeous pictures! Who knew dogwood had so many uses, wow!
ReplyDeleteThank you.... I agree... I had no idea, but I am really thankful to know it now. :)
Deletewow what a fascinating plant - useful AND beautiful! Thanks for sharing ♥
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful and nice just because of that... but all of the usefulness just improves its appeal to me. :) thank you for visiting.
DeleteSuch beautiful photo's. I understand your comment on my blog about the picture I used, but feel bad as it was one I purchased and didn't take myself... ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this tree, it's gorgeous. It's actually nice to think that what you plant in your yard has other uses.
Thank you... I enjoy taking pictures... and it is even more fun when they turn out to be really nice. :) I really enjoy these trees... maybe someday I will have one.. if not, I will enjoy them from afar. :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteLove all those photos..and dogwood tree is indeed pretty. I want to have one in my backyard as well :)
ReplyDeleteIt really would be nice to have one in our backyards, wouldn't it?! They have such a pretty beauty... and are unique trees. I am so thankful to have been able to photograph one this year. :)
DeleteWe have a dogwood tree now, but in our previous house we had cherry trees. I really miss those.
ReplyDeleteWe had a cherry tree in the yard when I was a child... those were good cherries! I miss those also, especially since the neighbor's cherry tree that we have picked from for years... had to be cut down last year. We hope to get a cherry tree someday, if we move to more property. I love the dogwood trees too.... We could sure plant a lot of trees, if we had the property and the money... we like a lot of different trees. :)
DeleteBeautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you... it was a lovely day to get pictures... and the tree was so beautiful. :)
DeletePlease read the instructions of how to find the URL to your Pinterest pins. That way it will be better for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteLove how these came out!! Great idea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting!!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you.... I'm so glad you visited. :)
DeleteThese trees are stunning!They sound much more friendly than wisteria.Wow, they had so many different uses over the years!
ReplyDeleteI'm tempted to try dogwood "chewing sticks" haha :)
I would pick the pink one!
Hugs,
Mila
That's for sure... both dogwood and wisteria are so beautiful, but I don't plan to ever have the wisteria. :) Dogwoods are a different story... I would love to have one of those. :) I am leaning toward the pink one too..... of course, we aren't really getting one right now, but I guess I am making plans for "someday". :)
DeleteBeautiful photos! Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you will join us again this week.
ReplyDeleteThank you... I sure enjoy these pretty trees in the spring time. :)
DeleteI did not know all those things about the dogwood tree! Thank you for the interesting information.
ReplyDeleteI didn't either until I researched it.. I have been checking out common plants and trees to see if there are medicinal uses for them..... and I am finding out a lot of great information. :)
DeleteI always loved dogwood trees, their blooms, and of course the story about the marks on the flowers relating to the crucifixion - not a true story but one I like.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice story... and they are beautiful trees. Someday, I hope to have one in our yard... after we move to a little larger area. We have maxed out trees in our 1/4 acre yard here. :)
DeleteLove your pics :) Thank you for attending the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. I shared your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteWe have several dogwood trees on our property all white. I'd like to have a pink one. Interesting information on the historical medicinal use.
ReplyDeleteMy parents have talked of the beauty of all of the wild dogwoods in the woods and on the hills in their area. I have yet to see that, but it sounds so lovely. I have never been there when the dogwoods were open. I like the white and the pink.. can't really decide which I like better. :) I love learning about different uses for regular trees and plants. Thank you for visiting.
DeleteThey are such pretty trees; my grandmother had a large pink one right in her backyard. I loved watching them bloom... I had no idea they had so many uses though.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed their looks for years, but it wasn't until more recently that I found out about the uses either... I keep checking out various trees and plants and it is amazing how beneficial they are. :)
DeleteVery beautiful trees. Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful and I enjoyed taking some pictures, especially since I can't usually get close to those trees as most are in someone's yard. :) I was so glad to find one in a park.
DeleteYour dogwood photos are just lovely, Joy and I learned something new! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
ReplyDeleteThank you.... I was sure interested to learn so much about the dogwood tree. :)
Delete