Wild Edibles: Kousa Dogwood Fruit

by Jonathan M. Forester, Posted Aug 29th 2008 @ 6:01PM

The Kousa Dogwood is a favorite ornamental tree because of it's creamy white "flowers" (actually the bracts for the inconsequential green flowers), that cover the tree all spring and early to mid simmer. In the fall it may have small clusters of rose colored fruit, although if you have a high squirrel population you may never see or notice the fruit.

if you have this tree in your yard or know someone who does, try to beat the critters to the fruit. They are usually creamy, delicate, and sweet; although they do have some seeds as well. The larger and darker red the fruit, the riper and mature it is, the sweeter and less astringent. Unripe and barely ripe fruit can have a tiny bit of persimmon-like pucker to it.. The flavor can vary as well, depending upon what type of Kousa dogwood it is. Some are tastier than others, and I have found that the fruit from some trees varies over the years. The fruit from mature trees tends to be much bigger and sweeter than that from young trees.

In college I found out about the Kousa Dogwood when I first got real heavy into foraging for wild edibles. There was a ornamental stand of them in the middle of campus, and I would get the strangest looks from fellow students, as I harvested the fruit by the pail load. Although, I also got a steady girlfriend, when I offered some to a pretty girl who walked by. Later I planted one of these trees in my parents yard so they could enjoy the flowers all spring and summer; and I could fight the furry tailed tree rats for the fruit in the fall.

Gallery of stages and types of Kousa Dogwood and Fruit

Wild Edibles: Kousa Dogwood Fruit(click thumbnails to view gallery)

Filed Under: Wild Edibles, Ingredients
Tags: fall, fruit, Kousa Dogwood Fruit, KousaDogwoodFruit, wild edibles

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-15-2008 @9:49AM Dave said... Any idea if the fruit from these is safe for dogs to eat?
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9-15-2008 @5:58PM JMForester said... Dave- I've seen actually several dogs eat them, including my sister's, and haven't heard anything negative. But of course dogs tend to pig out on stuff they find, and then get sick from overeating later, so that might be a concern.
-JMF-
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