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Features

Tree

Leaf

Blossom

Fruit

  Latin name Cornus mas
  Family Cornaceae (dogwood family)
  Distribution Europe to Anatolia
  Height 4 to 7 m, rarely taller
  Age Up to 100 years
  Roots Densely branching taproot system
  Bark Grey-brown bark with numerous cracks and furrows, peeling off in scales with age.
  Leaves Short-stalked, up to 10 cm long, ovate leaves, pointed at the tip, with smooth, often wavy margins and arched veins pointing towards the tip. Shiny green colour, lighter underneath.
  Flowers Yellow, in small, 10- to 25-flowered, spherical umbels
  Flowering period Long before leaf emergence, often in February, typically March to April
  Fruits Hanging, egg-shaped, up to 2 cm long stone fruit with shiny bright red skin, yellow-orange flesh, and a kernel
  Fruiting period August to September
  Alternative names European cornel, cornelian cherry dogwood

 

Cornus mas

The cornelian cherry is a small, but fast-growing deciduous tree or shrub with a spreading crown. It belongs to the dogwood family and is not particularly related to the sour cherry or the sweet cherry, which both belong to the rose family.

The long-lived cornelian cherry has been highly valued since ancient times. Numerous writers such as Homer, Horace, or Ovid mention it as "cornus." Its wood was appreciated for its toughness and strength, associated with endurance and power. The non-splintering wood was used especially for spears and lances. Even the hero Odysseus possessed a cornelian lance, and his legendary bow, which only he could string, was also said to be made from cornelian cherry.

During the time of Emperor Caligula (12–41 AD), according to legend, there was an 800-year-old cornelian cherry tree growing in ancient Rome. This tree was called “Cornus Romuli” and attributed to the legendary Romulus, the founder of Rome. Allegedly, he thrust a cornelian cherry wood spear into the ground at the spot where the city of Rome was to be built. Miraculously, the lance wood took root, sprouted leaves, and grew into that tree.

Ecology

The cornelian cherry blooms as early as March. Its nectar and pollen is of great importance as early food for awakening bumblebees, solitary bees and honeybees, which in turn pollinate the numerous small flowers.

Seeds are dispersed by birds. At least 15 bird species such as the hawfinch, Eurasian bullfinch, or Eurasian jay enjoy eating the red cornelian cherries. Furthermore, the dense crown of the tree provides an excellent refuge for nesting and roosting. The leaves, which often remain on the tree for a long time in winter, also provide valuable food for hares and roe deer.

Wood

The wood of the cornelian cherry is so heavy that it sinks in water. It is the hardest wood that grows in Europe. Due to its toughness, it was highly popular in coopering and woodturning, especially for making tools, shoemaker nails, and wheel spokes. In the past, it was also highly sought-after for canes, mainly carried by students, as walking sticks or truncheons. These sticks were called "Ziegenhainer" or "Stenz" in German.