Dogwood Fruit

The dogwood fruit is overlooked by many, but this ornamental tree offers a fruit with a surprisingly pleasant, almost tropical taste and creamy texture. These dogwood fruits were foraged in suburban Westchester, NY. I do not know that this type of dogwood is hearty enough to withstand Illinois winters, however, there is a wide variety of dogwood types, including the dogwood of Armenian origin that bears a fruit known as the cornelian cherry that bears no resemblance to this dogwood fruit.
The key with the dogwood fruit is to wait until is is very soft to pick it- the ones that are beginning to develop a purplish tinge are the most fragrant.

Looks like Cornus kousa, which are sold as both species and a number of cultivars. I have one ("Milky Way") in my front yard near downtown and it is a showstopper when it blooms in late spring. It's been rock hardy without any winter dieback in the ten years it's been planted. It fruits prolifically and the leaves turn a dark purplish red. With its maturing a bit, the bark is starting to exfoliate so it is truly a four season small tree. Highly recommended.



http://images.google.com/images?client= ... a=N&tab=wi

So, Rick T., do you eat the fruit?

Is the fruit of any dogwood safe to eat? Good to eat? Or are there specific varieties? I love dogwood trees in the spring, when they're flowering, but had no idea they might be useful afterwards.

http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/p ... es/432.pdf

The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) is BY FAR the best dogwood tree for the Chicago area. Unlike its more showy relatives Cornus florida and Cornus kousa, Cornus mas thrives in the clay soils of the Chicago area, and it has no insect or disease problems.

I had two cornelian cherry trees in the back yard at my old house in Naperville, and the flavor of the ripe fruit reminded me of a Montmorency cherry with a hint of orange peel.

Quite so. I have a jar of Armenian cornelian cherry preserves and I'd say it's very close to Montmorency cherry flavor, though a bit denser in texture. I'm guessing some could be foraged on public park land in Chicago. Keep your eyes peeled, everyone.