There are many different legends about the dogwood tree. Here are a couple....however I should mention when viewing, the nail scars and blood are more prominent in the traditional white dogwood tree. They grow wild in our area and for a change my husband and I planted a pink tree. This is the best it has ever bloomed due to late freezes.

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The stunted and twisted dogwood used to grow tall and straight. But since the tree was so humiliated, after Jesus cross was made from it, God promised that it would never grow strong and straight again to be used for such a purpose. Another legend associated with the dogwood is linked to it’s beautiful flowers. Lore has it that the dogwood’s cross-shaped flowers, commemorate the shameful purpose for which it was used. Can you see the “nail scars” on the tips of the petals and a crown of thorns in the middle?

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When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
It’s branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ’s cross it’s timbers were chosen.

Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Not ever 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.”


Essentially Esther