Cornus mas

Gele kornoelje, Kornoeljekers / Yellow dogwood, Cornelian cherry

Cornaceae (Kornoeljefamilie)

Edible plant part (5)

Bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Yellow dogwood, Cornelian cherry belongs to the small trees-large shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 2.5 to 6 meter and a width of 1.5 to 3 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense. The Yellow dogwood, Cornelian cherry is decidious. It buds in april and it loses its leaves in november.
This species forms a heart-shaped medium deep root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Yellow dogwood, Cornelian cherry is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Evelyn Derksen

foto: Evelyn Derksen

foto: Andreas Rockstein, https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/33090036306

foto: Lazaregagnidze, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cornus_mas_Cornelian_Cherry_%E1%83%A8%E1%83%98%E1%83%9C%E1%83%93%E1%83%98.JPG

foto: Andreas Rockstein, https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/43641719702

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

slightly acid

neutral

alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early february, mid february
Flowering period (length): several months, several weeks
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf), sf, more harvest with cross-pollination

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

schimmels aangetast, welke?

Harvest and Consumption

Bark

Flowers

Fruits

Leaves

Seeds

Form of consumption: Processed

Harvest location edible part: Above reach, elbow height, ground layer, high, but within reach, varies per cultivar
Harvesting period - start: Mid august
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks
Harvesting period - recognition: Easy, colour
Harvesting period - uniformity: High, low, medium, varies per cultivar
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Week
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 4
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 10
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 30

Harvesting period - start: End of august
Form of consumption: Processed
Suitable markets: Bulk

Culinary appreciation

Highly valued for its fruits, which have a unique flavor and can be processed like olives. Oil can also be extracted from the seeds.

References