Yellow blossoms on naked gray branches rival witch hazel in beauty in the springtime. Fruits look cherry-like with a cranberry sauce flavor. Fruits are commonly used in European tarts. This species from China and Japan is much like our native dogwood, but the floral bracts are pointed and produce several weeks later in the season. Tree develops interesting bark as it grows and the showy fruits are edible.
Leaves have good fall color.
Kousa has few pest problems. It is highly resistant to dogwood borer and dogwood anthracnose that has been plaguing flowering dogwoods in recent years. A striking sight both in bloom and in fruit.