I was considering the Pacific Dogwood as a memorial tree and naturally would like something that will survive (on its own once established) for a generation or two. Considering that it's current range extends well into California, would it be safe to assume that it is fairly well poised to adapt to climate change here in SW BC?
A bit late for this answer, but yes, it grows well enough in mid-elevation dry summer forests in Oregon from my observations. The challenge locally is anthracnose which dries up the leaves and makes it look unsightly by mid-summer. We are trialing some plants collected from a part of its range that don't seem to have anthracnose, but whether that is due to resistance or environmental conditions or lack of anthracnose in the area, we're not sure.
When one gets outside of the urban smog belt Pacific dogwood may be clean. As appeared to be the case some years ago in the southern Washington Cascades. And years ago ozone concentrations above a certain level and anthracnose on Cornus florida beyond a particular amount of severity in eastern North America/the eastern US were mapped, found to fit together like a hand in a glove. So, if the intended planting site is in or near Vancouver Pacific dogwood might not make an attractive and lasting memorial planting.
