Dogwood trees, belonging to the Cornus genus, are widely celebrated for their multi-season visual appeal, offering blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and distinctive bark structure in winter. The question of their fragrance often leads to confusion because the scent profile is highly variable. It ranges from pleasantly subtle to distinctly unpleasant depending on the specific species and the part of the tree examined. This complexity means that the answer to what a Dogwood smells like is often surprising to those expecting a single, consistent floral aroma.
The Smell of the Flowers
The flowers of the most popular North American species, the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), typically have a faint or subtly sweet fragrance. The true flowers are small, greenish-yellow clusters at the center, surrounded by four large, showy, petal-like bracts that provide the visual display. The overall scent is often so light that the tree is considered non-fragrant unless one is very close to the bloom.
The pleasant, mild scent that is sometimes detected comes from various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the flowers release to attract pollinators. These compounds often include linalool and benzaldehyde, which contribute floral and sweet notes. This delicate chemical profile ensures the scent is generally pleasing, though it is not powerful enough to perfume an entire garden space.
The Source of the Unpleasant Odor
The confusion regarding Dogwood fragrance stems from reports of a strong, unpleasant odor, often described as “fishy” or similar to decaying organic matter. This specific smell is caused by trimethylamine (TMA), a volatile organic compound. TMA is a decomposition product of animal and plant tissue and is responsible for the characteristic odor of rotting fish.
While the Flowering Dogwood (C. florida) is generally sweet or neutral, some individual trees or specific cultivars of other Dogwood species are known to release a noticeable amount of TMA. However, the most common source of this “fishy” smell in an urban or suburban landscape is often a misidentification with the Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana), which is notorious for releasing high concentrations of TMA from its blooms. When a Dogwood is the true source, the release of this compound is likely a strategy to attract specialized, non-bee pollinators such as flies.
Aromatic Differences Across Species
The Cornus genus contains numerous species, and their aromatic profiles vary significantly, making a blanket statement about Dogwood scent impossible. The North American native Flowering Dogwood (C. florida) provides the most neutral experience, with subtle, floral VOCs resulting in barely perceptible sweetness. In contrast, the Asian Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa) is the species most frequently associated with the “fishy” or pungent odor when it blooms in early summer.
Other Notable Species
The Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) flowers much earlier than its relatives, often in late winter or early spring. Its small, yellow flowers may possess a slightly yeasty or sweet scent, which is more noticeable because it blooms before much else in the garden. The Rough-leaved Dogwood (Cornus drummondii), a shrubby variety, produces an odor from its leaves sometimes likened to sour or curdled milk.
Beyond the Bloom: Scent of Leaves and Wood
The aromatic experience of Dogwood is not limited to the flowers, as the vegetative parts of the tree can also produce noticeable scents, particularly when damaged. When the leaves of certain Dogwood species are bruised or torn, they release a mild, slightly pungent, or “green” odor from stored volatile compounds. This is a common defense mechanism in plants, but the specific scent differs between species.
The wood of the Dogwood tree, known for its extreme hardness and density, has a different profile when freshly cut. While many commercial woods are prized for a strong aroma, Dogwood wood is generally described as having a neutral or slightly musty smell. Historically, some observers noted a faintly fetid odor when the wood was first cut. The bark itself is typically scentless unless damaged or host to a fungal issue.