What happened to all the dogwoods?

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. Used to be that creamy white dogwood blossoms were an iconic sign of spring in the woods and along the roadways of Jefferson County, as well as throughout the eastern United States from Michigan to North Florida. The indigenous variety, Cornus florida, is sometimes considered the most spectacular of native, flowering trees. But even as the redbuds, plums, pears, jessamine and azaleas are making their spring appearances in our area now, few dogwood trees are joining in the display. Where have they all gone? UF/IFAS Extension Agent Ben Hoffner says that although dogwood trees are suited to our well-drained, slightly acidic soil, they have been in decline