Cherokee Princess (Dogwood)

Basic Landscape Attributes

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History of
the Tree Species

First cultivated in 1731
Native to Europe, Asia, and North America
Used by Native Americans and early settlers
Thomas Jefferson grew them at his home in Virginia (Monticello) in the late 1770s
Virginia eventually named the flower of the dogwood the state flower in 1918, then state tree in 1956
Dogwood flower became the state flower of North Carolina in 1941, and Missouri named dogwood its state tree in 1955
Native Americans used dogwood trees for farming, bark/tobacco mixtures, and creation of toothbrushes, daggers, arrows, and other tools
Early settlers used the wood for a variety of specialty items such as cleaning tools, hay forks, mallets, cogwheels, needles, rulers, forks, and more
Name derives from a Cherokee myth wherein a Brave kills a Cherokee princess after she refused his advances -- the blossoms of a dogwood were used to soak up her blood
The blood symbolizes the red stains at the tip of the petals or bracts

Used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, as well as for carvings, looms, and disinfectant
Wood is hard, heavy, close-grained and strong -- often used for textile shuttles and spools as well as handles for tools
Bright red fruits enjoyed by wildlife but toxic to humans

Location on tree on Shelby Ave: