Common Name: Giant Dogwood

General Information

Cornus controversa is a deciduous tree with horizontal branches that are produced in tiers; it usually grows 3 - 15 metres tall, occasionally reaching 20 metres[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in parks and large gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea, northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam

Habitat

Woodland, hedges and thickets; at elevations from 600 - 2,000 metres[]. Broad-leaved or mixed broad-leaved and needle-leaved forests; at elevations from 200 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cornus controversa is a very cold-hardy tree, tolerating temperatures down to around -25°c when dormant. It usually does not grow well in areas with hot summers[].
Succeeds in full sun or light shade[[], requiring afternoon shade in areas with warmer summers[]. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any soil of good or moderate fertility[], ranging from acid to shallow chalk[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Established plants are moderately drought tolerant[].
A fast-growing tree[].
The plant benefits from a 5 - 10cm deep mulch of organic matter, which will help to keep the roots cool and moist in hot weather[].
A very ornamental plant[, ]. The large, conspicuous, white inflorescences, layered branching pattern, and pagodalike shape of the tree make it a good garden ornamental[].
This species is unusual in having alternate leaves whilst almost all other members of this genus have opposite leaves[].
Closely related to Cornus alternifolia[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. No more details are given. The purplish red or bluish-black, globose fruit is 6 - 7mm in diameter with a thin layer of flesh enclosing a single seed 5 - 6mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used in folk remedies to relieve pain and reduce swelling[].

The fruits are astringent and tonic[].
The fresh fruits contain 13.68g per kilo of bioactive anthocyanins which makes them an excellent source of these compounds[]. Anthocyanins have a range of positive actions in the body, including antiinflammatory and antioxidant. The anthocyanins in Cornus controversa have potential for use in the treatment of various complaints including cancer[]

Other Uses

The fruit provides an oil used in the lubricating and soap industry[].

The soft, white, lightweight wood is used to manufacture vessels and toys[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in an outdoors seedbed if there is sufficient seed[, ]. The seed must be separated from the fruit flesh since this contains germination inhibitors[, ]. Stored seed should be cold stratified for 3 - 4 months and sown as early as possible in the year[]. Scarification may also help as may a period of warm stratification before the cold stratification[, ]. Germination, especially of stored seed, can be very slow, taking 18 months or more[]. Prick out the seedlings of cold-frame sown seeds into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on for their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in the spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, taken with a heel if possible, autumn in a cold frame. High percentage[].
Layering of new growth in early summer/July. Takes 9 months[].