Weeks before common white Dogwoods (Cornus florida) burst into bloom throughout my woodlands, their cousin, Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas) decorates its bare branches with blooms that look like tufts of yellow fringe. With a few years of maturity, those blooms will develop into one-seeded red berries, hence the common name. Unlike cherries, the fruit is tart almost to the point of being inedible. Unless they are completely ripe, they produce the same pucker as an unripe persimmon.

Reaching heights of 20 to 25 feet, fast-growing, multi-stemmed Cornelian Cherry sits between short tree and tall shrub. This tough plant grows in zones 4 to 8. It will tolerate acidic clay soil and infrequently needs supplemental irrigation. In the southernmost zones, it prefers shade during the afternoon. Remove any suckers to prevent development into a thicket.

Although rare, trees can fall prey to blight, leaf scorch, cankers, leaf spot, mildew and an assortment of scale insects. It exhibits resistance to the anthracnose that plagues Cornus florida.

Trees are deciduous. A variegated cultivar is available. Fall color is negligible. After leaf-fall, the scaly bark is attractive. Deer may nibble on young trees but avoid mature specimens.