Kousa Dogwood

Scientific Name:
Cornus Kousa 

Average height at maturity:
20 to 30 feet

Average width of canopy at maturity:
21 to 30 feet 

Leaves and bark:

  • The kousa dogwood has dark green leaves which turn burgundy-red in the autumn. These leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, shaped like ellipses, and do not have any jagged edges.
  • The kousa dogwood has gray-brown bark.

Other fun and interesting facts:

  • The kousa dogwood is native to Japan, China, and Korea.
  • It has small greenish-yellow flowers which are surrounded by four distinctive white “petals” which are actually bracts (modified leaves).
  • The kousa dogwood has fruit that looks like a raspberry.
  • The fruit of the kousa dogwood attracts songbirds and the seeds are eaten by squirrels and birds.
  • Look for kousa dogwoods near the tennis courts in Wood Park, along the parking lot in Wood Park, and along various streets throughout Leonia.

 

Sources:

https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/kousa-dogwood/
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=830
https://www.centralparknyc.org/plants/kousa-dogwood

 

Photo Credit to Ben Leynse
Information compiled as part of Robert Slater’s 2023 Eagle Scout Project