Cornus alternifolia
Pagoda Dogwood
This hardy native dogwood tree gets its name from the tiered nature of the branches which lends the tree a silhouette that resembles a pagoda. It does not grow very tall, only reaching heights up to 25ft at the most and is sparsely distributed in the Catskills forest understory. An interesting feature of dogwood leaves is that the veins do not reach the end of the leaf’s edge. The Pagoda Dogwood produces small but lovely creamy white flowers that give off a delightful fragrance. This tree is a friend of the birds—its dark berries provide food and its wide dense foliage offers ample nesting sites.