Dogwood beauty

April 20, 2011

I have claimed my neighbors dogwood tree as my own ever since we moved in.  It welcomely hangs over our fence JUST ENOUGH to enjoy all its glory.  You couldn't possibly count the buds on this tree and then ever so slowly, they begin to open, creating this beautiful masterpiece to enjoy.

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I might have known this folk-myth before but I thought it was sweet Easter symbolism when I came across a poem about the legend of the dogwood tree.

"When Christ was on earth,

the dogwood grew

To a towering size

with a lovely hue.

Its branches were strong

and interwoven, 

And for Christ's cross

its timbers were chosen.

"Being distressed

at the use of the wood,

Christ made a promise

which still holds good:

'Never again shall the dogwood grow

To be large enough for a tree, and so,

Slender and twisted it shall always be,

With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.

"The petals shall have bloodstains

marked brown,

And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.

All who see it will think of me,

Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.

Protected and cherished this tree shall be,

A reflection to all of my agony.'"

• The pink dogwood is rumored to be the blushing of the shame for shedding innocent blood.
• The weeping dogwood is rumored to be the heartfelt cry for this tree being used to crucify Christ.
• The holes at the petals' edges represent the nail prints in Christ's hands.

There is nothing in the Bible or any reputable record that directly connects Christ with the dogwood tree ~ it is however a nice thought and a gentle reminder that gives some people comfort.

...and dogwoods don't grow in Israel but I seem to have a very Holy backyard.