Father’s Day Special on Dogwood Trees

Dogwood trees are an enjoyable tree for home gardeners due to its manageable size and availability.

However, did you know that there is a religious significance behind its twisted and slender trunk and beautiful flowers?

Legends talk about the dogwood trees growing near Jerusalem, and a large, strong tree was used to create the cross for many crucifixions, including Jesus Christ.

The legend says that the tree felt tormented because of the way its trunk was used, and Christ, realizing its suffering, changed the dogwoods shape and form so that it could never be used for making crosses in the future.

This legend is described in a poem by an unknown writer:

In Jesus’ time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
‘Twas strong and firm, its branches interwoven.
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so.
Slender and twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown,
The blossom’s center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember Me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected, this tree shall be
A reminder to all of My agony.”

In some versions of the legend, it is said that God cursed the dogwood trees after the crucifixion of Christ. However, all the versions of this legend claim that the form of dogwood trees has changed ever since.

Dogwood trees became shorter. The tree trunks became twisted and slender. Every flower of a dogwood tree, now has only four petals, which symbolize four points of a cross. On each petal corner, there are nail-like markings with some having the rusty-red color of Jesus’s blood. The stamen in the center of the flower symbolizes the Jesus’ Crown of Thorns. The whole tree has become a symbol of crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

◆ In a myth concerning dogwood trees, Cherokee Indians, people of a native American tribe believed that there are little people residing in these trees. The legend has it that these little people protect babies and old people.

◆ According to another legend, dogwood trees were Adam’s favorites in the Garden of Eden. The devil is said to have climbed the tree and damaged its blossom. However, when the flower turned into an image of a cross, he could only bite the edges of the flowers. Therefore the flowers grew spikes in their center to keep the devil away from Eden.