Legend Says Dogwood Tree Used For Cross

As legend has it, the cross on which Jesus was crucified was made from a dogwood tree. God decreed that the dogwood tree would from that day forth never grow large enough to be used to make a cross.

Thus, the dogwood tree is a small, understory tree. The flower of the dogwood has four petals which makes the shape of a cross. The center of the flower resembles the crown of thorns with bright red, clustered fruit in the center representing the blood of Christ.

The dogwood blooms in April when Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Christ after the Crucifixion.

An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest.

Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree.

Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: “Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.

Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross — two long and two short petals.

In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints — brown with rust and stained with red — and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember.”

“Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree.”

— Author Unknown

FILE PHOTO Dogwood trees blooming in Prairie Grove in past years.