The Christian Legend of the Dogwood Tree

There is one unique area in which my knowledge of wood science and faith in Jesus intersect and that is the cross of His crucifixion at Calvary. The True Cross is the name for physical remnants to which Christ had been nailed, and on which He had died. It has clearly become the object of a special respect and worship for Christians.

According to the sacred tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, the True Cross was made from cedar, pine, and cypress.  Another belief is that the main beam of the Cross was cedar, the transverse section was cypress, the inscription was carved on a piece of olive, and the footrest was of palm.  So, in this case we have four species.  Others believe that the aspen leaf trembles because the True Cross was made from that wood.  There is also speculation that the True Cross was made of oak. 

Whenever the subject of relics comes up, you can count on someone saying, “There are enough pieces of the True Cross to rebuild Noah’s Ark!” However, according to the National Catholic Register, the relics displayed in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and Rome’s Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem are probably authentic.  It is my understanding that these relics have not been examined to determine wood species. 

The dogwood tree (Cornus sp.) is a genus of between thirty and sixty plants including shrubs, evergreens, and flowering trees. Dogwoods are most common in China, Japan, and the US.  They are not native to the Holy Land.  The wood is very hard, but trees large enough and straight enough to provide lumber for a cross are extremely rare.

The Bible does not say what kind of wood was used for the cross. In fact, the word “cross” comes from a generic Latin term meaning a piece of wood used as a tool of execution. It’s unlikely the cross was actually made from a dogwood tree. However, as with all things concerning God – “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).  The legend of the dogwood tree comes from a poem, author unknown, about the relationship between the tree and the cross on which Jesus was crucified: