The question of whether a dogwood tree has a scent is not simple, as the answer depends on the specific species of the genus Cornus and which part of the tree is being smelled. While the overall aroma is often mild, dogwood trees produce odors ranging from a light, sweet perfume to distinctly unpleasant smells. Reports vary because different people are often smelling different species, parts of the plant, or environmental conditions. Understanding this complexity requires separating the scent of the showy spring blossoms from the odors produced by the tree’s foliage, twigs, and fruit.
The Scent Profiles of Dogwood Flowers
The most common dogwood in North America, the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), has showy white or pink structures that are modified leaves called bracts, not true petals. These large bracts typically have little to no discernible scent. The actual flowers are small, yellowish-green clusters located at the center of the bracts, and these are the source of the tree’s floral volatiles.
For many observers, the aroma of C. florida is a mild, sweet fragrance, often compared to a light perfume or honeysuckle. Scientific analysis of the true flowers has identified volatile compounds like benzaldehyde and benzyl alcohol, associated with pleasant floral scents. However, some people report a faint but distinctly unpleasant odor from the blossoms, sometimes described as “rancid” or like “tuna fish.”
The Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa), which flowers later, generally has a pleasant or neutral floral scent. Other varieties, such as the Red Twig Dogwood, produce small clusters of flowers that are noted for their pleasing sweetness.
Odors from Foliage, Twigs, and Fruit
While the flowers may have a mild or sweet aroma, the strongest and most negative odors associated with dogwood trees come from the non-floral parts. When the leaves or twigs of certain dogwood species are crushed, they release pungent volatile organic compounds. For example, the foliage of the Rough-leaved Dogwood (Cornus drummondii) has been described as having an odor similar to curdled milk.
This odor is typically released only when the plant tissue is broken or damaged, such as by pruning or wind. The wood or bark is not a significant source of aroma unless freshly cut.
The strongest source of unpleasant odor is often the fruit of the Kousa Dogwood. The C. kousa tree produces a large, raspberry-like berry that ripens in late summer or fall. When these ripe fruits fall to the ground, they quickly decompose and ferment, creating a strong, sometimes fetid smell.
Why Perceptions of Dogwood Scent Vary
The wide range of reported dogwood scents, from sweet to foul, is influenced by biological and environmental factors. The primary reason for conflicting reports is species identification. Many people confuse the odor of a dogwood with that of other common ornamental trees, such as the foul-smelling Bradford Pear, which blooms around the same time.
Individual human biology also plays a significant role in how any plant aroma is experienced. Genetic variations in human olfactory receptors mean two people can smell the exact same chemical compound and perceive entirely different odors. This results in subjective descriptions ranging from “dust and baby powder” to “feet” when smelling the same tree.
Environmental conditions further complicate the issue. Higher temperatures and humidity can intensify the release of volatile compounds, making an otherwise mild scent more pronounced and potentially unpleasant.