Why Do Dogwood Trees Grow So Well in Oregon?

Dogwood trees may be native to eastern North America, but they grow all across the world, including right here in Oregon. In fact, they are one of the most popular types of trees that people plant in their yards. A big reason for this is that they are beautiful trees and keep that beauty throughout all four seasons. If you’re looking for new, attractive trees to add to your yard, dogwood trees are a great idea for you to consider. Plus, dogwood trees grow well in Oregon. Here are some of the reasons why.

There Are So Many Different Varieties

Because there are so many different varieties of dogwood trees, you can choose one that will work well in your particular yard. You can even choose more than one variety if you have the space. Choose from flowering dogwoods, which are known for their vibrant colors—yellow, pink, white, or even purple. These trees bloom from late winter all the way through the end of the summer. During the fall, they have dramatic fall foliage. Types of flowering dogwoods include Wonderberry, Rainbow, Sweetwater Red, Cloud 9, and Cherokee Brave.

There are also kousa dogwood trees, which are also known as Korean dogwood. This variety blooms later in the year than flowering dogwood. You may not get as many months of flowers, but they are resistant to anthracnose disease, meaning they can survive in more environments. Kousa dogwood cultivars include Gold Star, Wolf Eyes, and Temple Jewel.

Another popular variety is hybrid dogwoods, such as a combination of the Cornus florida and Cornus kousa. These have been crossbred for better resistance to disease and even more beautiful leaves and blooms. Favorite hybrids include Stellar Pink, Celestial, and Stardust.

Because Oregon homeowners have so many options to choose from, they tend to have more than just one dogwood tree in their yards. This is another reason dogwood trees grow so well in Oregon, as this facilitates pollination.

Oregon Falls in the Perfect Hardiness Zone

When it comes to growing trees, checking their preferred hardiness growing zones is critical to the health of a tree. As Oregon ranges from Zones 4b to 9b, many different varieties of dogwood trees grow well here. Each type of dogwood tree has its own preferred growing zone (or range of zones), but in general, dogwoods grow best in Hardiness Zones 3 through 8. The two most popular varieties mentioned above—flowering and kousa dogwood—grow in Zones 5 to 8.

Dogwood Trees Grow Well in All Seasons

As we mentioned above, dogwood trees are beautiful in every single season. This is in part due to the fact that they grow well and thrive during all four seasons, making them a good choice to withstand Oregon’s ever-changing weather. In fact, some dogwood tree care needs to happen in the fall and winter seasons so the trees can be at their healthiest. For instance, the best practice is to prune dogwoods in the late fall or early winter, preferably six weeks before leaves drop. Additionally, fertilization should happen toward the end of winter, which is when the trees are coming out of their dormancy.

Because dogwood trees grow year-round and maintain their beauty all year, homeowners enjoy planting them in their yards.

Local Wildlife Loves Dogwood Trees

We love our local wildlife here in Oregon, and our local wildlife loves dogwood trees. Both small mammals and more than 35 different species of birds are attracted to dogwood trees because of the fruit and seeds they grow. Birds especially love dogwood trees due to the structure of their branches, as they’re perfect to make their nests in. Especially when the tree is in bloom and covered in leaves, birds love building their nests under the canopy created by the leaves, giving them both shade and protection.

Insects are also attracted to dogwood trees during the springtime, as the nectar from the flowers is used by bees and butterflies.

Great for Residential and Commercial Landscapes

Choosing a tree that can work for both residential and commercial landscapes is beneficial, and due to all the different varieties of dogwood trees, there are different sizes and structures that will fit in any type of landscape. One variety in particular, the pink dogwood, is medium in size, reaching 15 to 20 feet tall at maturity. They have shallow roots so leave some space when planting near patios, driveways, sidewalks, or parking lots.

They Have a Long Life Expectancy

Choosing a tree with a long life expectancy means that you will have it for decades to come, as long as you practice regular maintenance. Dogwood trees typically live up to 80 years. This means once a dogwood tree is planted in Oregon, you will likely be seeing it for a long time.

As you can see, dogwood trees in Oregon grow well due to many different factors. They are a more versatile tree, especially with all of the different varieties. Additionally, they are a popular choice for many properties—both residential and commercial—due to their vibrant colors, beautiful shape, and attraction for local wildlife.

If you choose to plant dogwood trees in your Oregon yard, it’s a good idea to call a professional arborist to assist you, such as us at Mr. Tree. We can not only recommend the variety of dogwood trees that would work best in your yard, but we can also service your tree routinely to make sure that it remains at its healthiest. Reach out to us today. We’ll work with you to make your yard the next home for a dogwood tree—or more than one.