Dogwood is common on all lime-rich soils, though scarce elsewhere. It’s not known as being in Cornwall, and there is no Cornish name for it. Although there are a few scattered bushes in hedgerows near Torpoint. Always a small tree or bush, and is typical hedgerow shrub throughout Somerset & Wiltshire.
The branches of Dogwood hold a hard strong white wood, which can be sharpened into sharp skewers or "dags", this is the Norse origin of the word "dagger". The word evolved into “dog”, a term still used by timber-men, is a sharp spike; another name is gad-tree or goad tree, from the goads once used to prod ploughing oxen. The scientific name sanguinea, bloody, refers to the blood-red colour of the twigs.
A useful plant for wildlife and should be considered in planting schemes and as a garden plant. The showy white flowers are an excellent nectar source for many invertebrates and the berries are an important food for many birds which disperse the seeds in their droppings.
At Trebrown Nurseries we maintain our own registered seed stands on Trebrown Farm, which remain the only seed stand registered in Cornwall. Dogwood is not a FRM controlled species, but is certified under the voluntary FRM scheme.
