Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii
Cornaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · native
Last updated
Pacific dogwood is the showpiece native in our region but it is not an easy tree in managed landscapes. Dogwood anthracnose arrived in the 1980s and has killed trees across the lowlands, especially in shaded, humid sites with poor air circulation. Powdery mildew is chronic. The key to growing Pacific dogwood successfully is siting: it needs dappled light, not deep shade, and good air movement. Full afternoon sun will sunburn the bark. The soil needs to drain; root rot in waterlogged soil kills faster than any foliar disease. When it works, the spring display of white bracts is unmatched by any other native tree. Fall color is red, and the fruit clusters attract birds through winter. Avoid pruning in wet weather to reduce disease entry.
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist
Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii, Cornaceae) is a native deciduous tree ranging from just beyond Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to southern California, with a disjunct population in north-central Idaho. It reaches 20 to 40 feet in cultivation (occasionally 60 to 70 feet) with 4 to 8 creamy-white (rarely pink) bracts (5 to 8 centimeters each) subtending 30 to 40 small greenish flowers. Bloom occurs from April to June, sometimes repeating in fall. Orange-red fruit ripens in dense globular clusters from late August to October.
Pacific dogwood grows in sun to part shade on well-drained soils (pH 5.5 to 7.0) with moderate water needs and low drought tolerance, hardy in Zones 6a to 8b. It is long-lived with resprout ability, reaching about 12 feet at 20 years. It tolerates deer browse, clay soil, and black walnut proximity. The species is sensitive to stress and bark can be damaged by hot sun. Disease associations include anthracnose, powdery mildew, Armillaria root rot, and others; pest associations include various scale insects, dogwood sawfly, and flea beetle. The cultivar 'Goldspot' (variegated, 40 feet) is in the trade. It is the provincial flower of British Columbia.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1070 to 1180.6 GDD₃₂. Pacific Dogwood has reached 'bud break' (980 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'leaf emergence', predicted around Apr 5.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,181 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'First bloom' | 82 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,171 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'First bloom' | 92 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,111 | 'Bud break' | 'Leaf emergence' | 31 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,106 | 'Bud break' | 'Leaf emergence' | 36 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,101 | 'Bud break' | 'Leaf emergence' | 41 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,075 | 'Bud break' | 'Leaf emergence' | 67 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,070 | 'Bud break' | 'Leaf emergence' | 72 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| ● 'Bud break' BBCH '07' NOW | 980 | '' |
| ○ 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' NEXT | 1142 | '' est. Apr 5 (forecast) |
| 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' | 1154 | '' est. Apr 5 (forecast) |
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 1263 | '' est. Apr 11 (forecast) |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? GDD₃₂ thresholds from USA National Phenology Network citizen science observations (WA+OR). Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Apr 19, 2026, then climate normals.