I love trees. I find them endlessly fascinating for reasons I find difficult to articulate. And recent books I have read about trees have only stoked my curiosity.

Among trees I am particularly drawn to flowering trees. Native wild flowering trees specifically catch my eye. They often seem random.

Walk through a wooded area often enough and at different times of year and suddenly you will see this burst of color where there was none before.

Of these flowering trees my favorite is the Dogwood.

As with my fascination with trees in general I can’t quite pinpoint what it is about the Dogwood specifically that captures my attention. They are not large trees that demand attention.

The Dogwood is slender and demur. Almost as if it is trying not to be noticed. Compared to the size of the tree overall the flower blossoms are rather large.

The flower blossoms consist of 4 large and evenly spaces petals. The petals are white and curl towards their ends which are tinged in red. Not particularly flashy. But they have that elegance you can only find in nature. And each petal has a unique character and texture to it. I can’t even begin to describe the center of the flower you will just have to look at the pictures. They are as the saying goes worth 1,000 words.

Perhaps I love the Dogwood because we are fortunate enough to have a few growing near our house. And that has allowed me to become familiar with them. I know when they are likely to be in bloom. I can see when they are and I can go out and observe them. The familiarity growing the bond.

But Dogwoods for all their beauty are fleeting. They bloom early in spring. The large blossoms quickly begin to fade. If you don’t notice soon your adventure will be met with a forest floor covered in fallen petals.

Find a Dogwood and admire its fleeting beauty.

Do you have a favorite tree?

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