The Growing Height for Chinese Dogwood

Height

• The Chinese dogwood tree, also referred to as a Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) commonly grows to a height of between 15 and 25 feet with an equal spread. It is considered to possess a medium rate of growth which, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, denotes a tree that grows between 13 and 24 inches annually. Native to China, Korea and Japan, it was first recorded as growing in the U.S. in 1875.

Features

• The height of the Chinese dogwood is accentuated by its form, which includes horizontal branches that taper into a rounded crown. Because of its limited height, the tree is ideal for planting near buildings and utility lines and makes a fine specimen near decks, patios and in gardens. The beauty of the tree is enhanced by the blooming of white flowers in May or June, and rich, green foliage that gives way to a brilliant scarlet color in fall.

Hardiness

• The tree achieves its best health and thus maximum height potential when planted in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 8, an area that encompasses much of the U.S. aside from the extreme upper Midwest, the desert southwest, and much of Florida. It appreciates a mixture of full sunshine and partial shade, although the Chinese dogwood is more cold-tolerant than its relative, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida).

Considerations

• The fruit of the tree is edible and appears similar to a large, round raspberry. It typically is quickly devoured by squirrels and birds. The Chinese dogwood achieves its best height when grown on sandy, clay, acidic and well-drained soil. It is not especially drought-tolerant, so irrigation will be required during periods of nominal moisture. The tree also does not appreciate reflected heat, so it is poorly suited for parking lot or extreme urban environments.