Driving around Mount Vernon now, you will see two beautiful trees blooming. One is quite obvious, and one you need to look closely to discover is the Japanese tree lilac, Syringa reticulate and Cornus kousa.
The Japanese lilac is a beautiful tree with large clusters of white flowers. You cannot miss the tree on High Street, Gay Street, Main Street, Coshocton Road and many other places. It is gorgeous right now! If you can smell the blooms, it is very fragrant!
The Japanese tree lilac is Syringa reticulata. The name Syringa reticulata comes from the Greek “syrinx,” a pipe, for its hollow stems and the Latin “reticulate,” meaning network, referring to the veins in the leaf.
The Japanese tree lilac is a rounded shrub or small deciduous tree. It grows 20 to 30 feet tall and spreads 15 to 25 feet. It bears fragrant white flowers in late spring or early summer. It is not native to the United States. It is native to eastern Asia, northern Japan, northern China, Korea and far southeastern Russia.
When the Japanese lilac comes into bloom, the similarities to the common shrub lilac end. This tree form has a large, creamy white spray or cluster of small flowers that can be up to a foot long. It does not have the strong fragrance of the common shrub form. Some say it has a more musky privet smell.
The leaves are similar to the common lilac, dark green and oppositely attached to a shiny brown stem. The bark is somewhat showy.
The Japanese tree lilac has been overlooked as a valuable ornamental tree and has been in the landscape trade for over 25 years. Only recently has it found its way into our landscape, especially as city trees. It seems to be replacing the flowering crabapple trees as it is not messy with dropping fruit and blooms late in the spring or early summer, giving added beauty when other shrubs and trees have bloomed.
It makes an excellent specimen tree for smaller yards since it does not interfere with power lines, overhead structures, or other trees. Its spread and open habit do not cast dense shade on yards, killing the grass. It can be a popular accent in a shrub border. It can provide interest besides a deck or patio.
The tree prefers full sun and good drainage. This species of lilac and its cultivars are the most resistant to powdery mildew, scale insects and borers. But it is not always pest-free. Regular watering during dry spells is suggested to make the tree more pest-resistant. Trees in partial shade can be infected with powdery mildew, which can cause some defoliation. The tree may need rejuvenation by pruning every few years as it becomes overgrown.
The second tree to really look for is Kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa. When you see this tree, you may ask yourself, “Why is the dogwood still blooming?” This is not our native dogwood, Cornus florida. This ornamental tree is grown for its flowers, fruit, fall color and interesting bark. It is native to Japan, Korea and China.
This tree dogwood grows 20 to 30 feet tall and spreads 15 to 30 feet. It is more resistant to leaf brightness and other problems than our native dogwood.
The white star-petaled-like flowers blooming in June are not actually petals but modified leaves called bracts. There are small, greenish-yellow, insignificant flowers in the middle.
The flowers are followed by bright red fruit. The red fruit attracts birds and squirrels.
The canopy of layered branches provides shade and beauty. The foliage turns red and purple in the fall. In winter, the tan and brown bark resembles a jigsaw puzzle. It is tougher than native dogwood, protecting it from disease and pests.
Drive around town and look for these two beautiful trees. Think about one for your yard.
