Dogwood Tree Berries

[momcow]

We are curious why our 10-11 yr. old Dogwood Tree decided to produce berries this year. This is the first year we have seen the berries,any help would be greatly appreciated

[Newt]

Hi Momcow,

There are a few reasons why you haven't seen berries until now. It takes most dogwood trees about 15 years to mature enough to produce a good crop of berries. You may not have seen berries in previous years because the berries are green before they mature and can be difficult to see among the green leaves. When the berries do mature to red, the leaves are often red and they can't easily be seen.

Another possibility is birds. From this site:
https://www.danfinch.com/jack.htm

Where and how do you obtain dogwood berries? The best berries are to be found on yard trees. Start cruising residential streets in early to mid-October to locate well-fruited trees. Avoid new or very old residential areas. The best trees will be from between fifteen to thirty years old.
Don't become easily discouraged if they seem hard to find. Green berries among green leaves or red berries among red leaves can be difficult to see. However, waiting for most of the leaves to fall is a mistake because migrating birds can clean the trees first. A flock of starlings, blackbirds, cedar waxwings, or robins can strip a large tree in a few minutes.

Bluebirds eat and run. Their visits may be so quick that you can easily miss them. Most blue birds swallow one or two berries and fly off with another, although occasionally they will take more. A flicker can take 13 berries at one feeding.

Newt