It’s Spring in Seattle and the dogwoods are in bloom.  The Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nutallii) is endemic to the west coast and is sadly threatened, in part, due to a fungal epidemic of Athracnose  (Discula sp.) .  Pacific Dogwood is an old growth understory plant* and like others of its type is also threatened by over harvest of old growth forests and modern logging practices.  The good news is that fungal resistant cultivars are being bred which will help reduce the spread of the disease.

*Yes, this tree is over sixty feet tall but compared to a mature douglas fir or western red cedar that is an understory plant.

Cheers,
Tom