Dogwood Tree Colouring Page

Flowering dogwood, Cornus florida, is a small woodland tree native to eastern North America. It usually grows about 5 to 10 metres tall beneath taller forest trees and may live for 30 to 80 years when healthy. Its crown forms attractive horizontal layers. The well-known 'flowers' are actually four large petal-like bracts surrounding a cluster of tiny true flowers. Each bract often has a small notch at the tip. Oval leaves grow opposite one another on the twigs and develop strong curved veins. By late summer or autumn, clusters of red fruits can appear, although this spring scene focuses on blossoms and buds. The tree blooms in mid-spring as woodland insects become active. Bees and small flies visit the true flowers, while birds later eat the fruit and spread seeds. American robins search the ground for insects, and chipmunks use fallen logs and roots as cover. Dogwoods prefer moist, well-drained soil and dappled light rather than harsh, exposed heat. In the wild, children should stay on paths so shallow roots and young woodland plants are not trampled. Fruit and leaves are for wildlife, not for tasting. Colour the four-bracted blossoms creamy white, blush pink or deep rose, keeping the tiny central cluster yellow-green. Unopened buds can be green with a touch of pink. Give the leaves fresh spring green with slightly darker curved veins. The trunk is often grey-brown and can have blocky texture on older trees. An American robin has a warm orange breast, dark grey-brown back and yellow beak; a chipmunk is golden or reddish brown with dark and cream stripes. Make the bees yellow-brown and the woodland flowers white, purple or pale pink. Use soft greens for ferns and bushes, warm brown for the fallen log and light blue around the clouds. Colour bracts with broad strokes from centre to edge, leaves with strokes following their veins, and the chipmunk with short fur-like marks. Leave small white gaps around the central flower clusters and between branches. This makes the dogwood's layered outline easy to recognise and gives young colourists comfortable spaces.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.