Need a new front yard tree - C. florida?

19 years ago

I had to have my big front yard maple taken down and now my house feels positively naked. It's weird how much it's bothering me. So I'm trying to decide what to plant in its wake and I can't get over wanting Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). It's the tree species that speaks to me above all others. Am I nuts to invest in this tree given anthracnose, powdery mildew, etc?

I did some googling and found a UConn study that said that Anthracnose is not as big a problem in CT as in other states. In other words, it does happen, but it isn't always fatal to the tree. Powdery mildew appears to be a bigger problem, according to this one study.

This tree will be in the front/center of my yard, in full sun, with plenty of circulation and moist but well drained soil. Might that reduce the risk of powdery mildew?

There are only two other flowering dogwoods in my neighborhood, so the tree is not as ubiquitous here as in some places. Actually, C. kousa is much more popular. Perhaps that means all of the C. Florida were killed off years ago?

I guess I'm looking for what others in NE have experienced with C. florida. Have you lost any? Kept any?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

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Nancy Vargas Registered Architect
19 years ago
I put in a magnolia last year, having had bad luck with a new dogwood. I am hoping it will satisfy my yen for spring bloom. They are a good bet in Southern New England - no?
ego45
19 years ago
Paige, C.florida is a shortlived tree, after 15-20 years in a ground it may still be alive, but will look like a hell. Drive around and look how (when not in a bloom) the old specimans look, scrugly, lichens ladden, loose irregular shape old-looking trees.
C.cousa are much better trees in all that respects.
You could buy plain specie or fancy cultivar and you'll not be disappointed neither now nor ...many years from now.
About 25-30 y.o. C. cousa:
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runktrun
19 years ago
Paige,
After a sudden and mysterious death of my Cornus x rutgersensis two years ago I am convinced that you are only setting yourself up for heart break. I thought this link from Cornell was telling as to what you might expect in Ct. I also think whitegarden's suggestion of Magnolia is a great replacement tree. kt

Here is a link that might be useful: Dogwood Anthracnose Cornell
paigect
Original Author
19 years ago
"look, scrugly, lichens ladden, loose irregular shape old-looking trees. "

George, this is what I like about them! I didn't realize they tend to be that short-lived, but I'll be somewhat surprised if I'm still here in 25 years, so a 25 year tree might just work great for me. If I am still here, I will likely be ready for a change by then.

I do like C. kousa, but it is a bit too cultured looking for what I have in mind for this spot. I want something more cottagey and typical New England, a bit course and unrefined, with precocious flowers preferably.

Whitegarden, magnolia is one of my back-up trees. Which variety, I'm not sure yet. I am concerned that they are so slow growing. Not that dogwoods are fast, but I think they tend to be faster than most mags, correct? Which variety did you plant?

kt, I'm sorry about the death of your tree. I do understand the heartbreak. Was that a resistant variety? One of the varieties I am considering is "Appalachian Spring", which was mentioned in the article you linked and is available at Broken Arrow. It was developed from a tree in Tennessee that was the sole survivor in an area devastated by anthracnose, and is supposed to be resistant. I will do a bit more research on it. Another variety I like is Cherokee Princess, but I'm not sure about its resistance.

Here is a picture of my house, should anyone have any recommendations as to flower color for whatever tree I choose. This was taken in the evening, but the spot is full sun with exposure to wind. Do you think a white-flowering tree will be too bland against the light gray house? If I was to go with a mag, would you vote for yellow or a pink?