Appearance: Small deciduous tree with showy white or pink bracts in spring; dark green leaves turning reddish-purple in fall; red berries in late summer.​ CO₂ Capture: Moderate; modest size limits overall carbon sequestration.​ Water/Drought Tolerance: Prefers moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of seasonal dry periods but not severe drought.​ Best Planting Spots: Flood Reduction: Not typically used for flood mitigation; prefers well-drained sites.​ Air Pollution: Sensitive to pollution; thrives best in areas with good air quality.​ Drought Areas: Not ideal for regions with frequent droughts due to shallow root system.​ Note: Flowering dogwood is intolerant of extended drought periods, especially during the first year after planting.