Can You Eat the Fruit From a Dogwood Tree? Know Your Species
Understanding whether you can eat the fruit from a dogwood tree requires careful identification, as the edibility varies significantly by species. Foraging for wild edibles should always be done with caution and with 100% certainty of the plant's identity. A handful of dogwood species produce delicious, palatable fruit, while others are bitter, astringent, and can cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Edible Dogwood Species
There are two primary dogwood species cultivated for their edible fruit, both native to Asia and Eurasia, respectively.
- Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa): Also known as Chinese or Japanese dogwood, this species produces a reddish, bumpy aggregate fruit that ripens in late summer or early fall. The inner pulp is creamy and sweet, often described as having flavors reminiscent of mango or persimmon, and is delicious eaten fresh, made into jam, or used in baked goods. The gritty skin and seeds should be discarded before consumption.
- Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas): This tree yields small, red, oblong drupes that resemble tiny cherries. While quite tart when fresh, the fruits become sweeter as they ripen. They are best used for jams, jellies, pies, or syrups, as they have a single, large seed in the center. Historically, this fruit has been used in Eastern European cuisine for centuries.
Inedible and Mildly Toxic Dogwood Species
Many ornamental dogwood trees found in landscaping and forests produce fruits that are not suitable for human consumption, though they are an important food source for wildlife.
- Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida): Native to eastern North America, the red berries of this species are bitter and astringent. They are considered mildly poisonous to humans and can cause gastrointestinal distress if consumed.
- Other ornamental varieties: Species like Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) and Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) also produce fruits that are either inedible or unpalatable to humans, though vital for birds and other animals.
How to Safely Identify an Edible Dogwood
- Examine the Fruit: Kousa dogwood fruit is distinctively bumpy and aggregate, looking like a large raspberry, while Cornelian cherry fruit is a smooth, single, oblong drupe. The berries of the Flowering dogwood are smooth, elongated, and grow in tight clusters.
- Inspect the Bark: Mature Kousa dogwoods have peeling, patchy bark reminiscent of a sycamore. In contrast, a Flowering dogwood's bark is more blocky and furrowed, and Cornelian cherry bark is often smooth or scaly.
- Check the Bloom Time: Kousa dogwoods flower later in the spring than Flowering dogwoods. The Cornelian cherry dogwood flowers much earlier in the spring, before its leaves appear.
- Confirm Ripeness: Edible dogwood fruits are best harvested when they are fully ripe, which typically means they are soft to the touch and have a vibrant color. For Kousa fruit, this is a deep orange-red, while Cornelian cherries are dark red.
Comparison Table: Edible vs. Inedible Dogwoods
| Feature | Edible Kousa Dogwood (C. kousa) | Edible Cornelian Cherry (C. mas) | Inedible Flowering Dogwood (C. florida) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Appearance | Reddish-pink, bumpy aggregate fruit (like a large raspberry) | Small, smooth, oblong red fruit (like a small cherry) | Elongated, waxy, smooth red berries in tight clusters |
| Taste of Ripe Fruit | Sweet, creamy pulp; often compared to mango or persimmon | Very tart but sweetens when ripe; best for cooking | Bitter and astringent; not for human consumption |
| Bark | Peeling, mottled bark on older trees | Smooth to scaly bark | Blocky, furrowed bark |
| Harvest Time | Late summer to early fall | Mid-summer | Late summer to fall, but inedible |
| Seeds | Multiple, smaller seeds; discard with skin | Single, large seed; best strained out | Multiple seeds per berry |
How to Eat Edible Dogwood Berries
For Kousa dogwood fruit, the best method is to gently squeeze or scoop the sweet inner pulp out and discard the grainy skin and seeds. You can eat the pulp fresh or use it in recipes like jams, jellies, sauces, or desserts. Cornelian cherry dogwoods, with their tart flavor, are perfect for cooked applications. They can be processed through a food mill or sieve to separate the flesh from the large pit, and the pulp can then be used in jams, syrups, and pies.
Foraging Safety Guidelines
Before consuming any wild fruit, it is imperative to adhere to strict foraging rules:
- Rule #1: Positive Identification: Never eat a plant or fruit unless you are 100% certain of its identity.
- Avoid Contaminated Areas: Do not forage in areas that might have been treated with pesticides or herbicides, such as roadsides or some urban parks.
- Start Small: When trying a new wild fruit, sample only a small amount to check for any allergic reactions or sensitivities.
- Harvest Sustainably: Only take what you need and leave plenty for wildlife and for the plant to propagate.
Conclusion
While the answer to "can you eat the fruit from a dogwood tree?" is a definitive yes for some species, the crucial element is accurate identification. The sweet, creamy fruit of the Kousa dogwood and the tart, flavorful berries of the Cornelian cherry dogwood are safe and delicious when prepared correctly. However, the mildly toxic and unpalatable fruits of the common Flowering dogwood and other ornamental varieties should always be avoided. By following proper identification and foraging safety, you can enjoy the bounty of the edible dogwood species.
Portland Fruit Tree Project provides excellent, localized information on harvesting Kousa dogwood.
