Dogwoods
Sep 10, 2023, 10:27 PM
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The beautiful dogwood trees are native to our area. Their white and pink blooms are among the first flowers to announce the arrival of spring.
There are many legends that surround this tree.
One Cherokee legend tells of the Dogwood People. The Cherokee believe that a tiny people live in the dogwood trees and that this divine little race was sent to teach humans how to live in harmony with the forests. The legend says these little people are very kind—they protect babies and care for the elderly and infirm.
Another legend is more religious in nature.
According to this legend, Jesus had a special love for the dogwood trees, which at that time grew as large as great oaks. The tree was so strong and firm that it was chosen for the wood used to build the Cross. Being used for such a cruel purpose deeply distressed the tree. Jesus, in his gentle compassion for all living things, told the tree, “Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again will a dogwood tree be used for this purpose. Never again will a dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. From now on, it will be slender, bent, and twisted.”
Thus, the beautiful dogwood is now only a small tree, never again growing large.
You can see the flowers of these trees along the River Walk and all throughout the town in the spring.
There are many legends that surround this tree.
One Cherokee legend tells of the Dogwood People. The Cherokee believe that a tiny people live in the dogwood trees and that this divine little race was sent to teach humans how to live in harmony with the forests. The legend says these little people are very kind—they protect babies and care for the elderly and infirm.
Another legend is more religious in nature.
According to this legend, Jesus had a special love for the dogwood trees, which at that time grew as large as great oaks. The tree was so strong and firm that it was chosen for the wood used to build the Cross. Being used for such a cruel purpose deeply distressed the tree. Jesus, in his gentle compassion for all living things, told the tree, “Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again will a dogwood tree be used for this purpose. Never again will a dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. From now on, it will be slender, bent, and twisted.”
Thus, the beautiful dogwood is now only a small tree, never again growing large.
You can see the flowers of these trees along the River Walk and all throughout the town in the spring.