Maybe 80 Years Left For Flowering Dogwoods - 35 States At Risk Of Losing State Trees, Flowers

The flowering dogwood will be extinct within the next 80 years because of global warming, according to a recent study by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The report also added that Virginia will be one of 35 states that are in danger of losing its state tree or state flower.

"Virginians should be sure to stop and smell their favorite flowers this spring, because without drastic cuts to global warming pollution, many native plants will be forced out of the state," said Nathan Lott, director of the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), in a press release.

Per the report, the Southeast region, which includes Virginia and extends down to Florida and through Texas, has had up to a four-degree increase in average temperatures during the past century and "an increase in July heat index from 8 to 15 degrees to perhaps more than 20 degrees for much of the region."

Such temperature increase can be disastrous for plant life in the area.
"Just one or two degrees of warming make a big difference in your garden. We're seeing earlier leaf out and bloom times, early emergence of insects, and new birds at the backyard feeder," said Marsha Merrell, conservation chair of the Garden Club of Virginia, in the press release.

EDIT

http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/articles/2007/06/22/news/news5.txt

Dogwoods don't do well in Wisconsin -- I think the fungal infection Anthracnose is to blame IIRC -- but they're lovely whenever I travel to where they're blooming.

Not sure what might disappear where I live, but it would be a shame to lose our Trilliums, or anything else...

the anthracose fungal infection as a major cause of dogwood death.

I was really sad. Dogwoods to me are such a peaceful beautiful tree.

All three of my dogwoods have been fine though.

I love those trees.

Dogwoods ARE Spring to me! Well, I probably won't be around in 80 years, but how sad for humanity. They are so beautiful.