Cherokee Chief Flowering Dogwood

Added Dec 01, 2022

In Memoriam: Planted in Memory of Chakomboka Chama

Chakomboka Chama was born on December 18th, 1995, in Kitwe, Zambia, Southern Africa. Chakomboka was an active child at school and church, starting at an early age. He was likable and had an infectious charm that impacted those who came into contact with him. In the United States, Chakomboka first lived in Athens, Georgia, where he started kindergarten. After two years in Athens, his family moved to Richmond, Virginia, where they lived for six years. While in Richmond, he became involved in sports and particularly enjoyed basketball and baseball, and he even tried playing soccer. He went to Richmond Academy, a Seventh-Day Adventist school, where he made many friends. His influence at Richmond Academy was positive and extraordinary both in and outside the classroom. In 2009, his family moved to Collegedale, Tennessee, where his father, Dr. Samson Chama, was offered a teaching position in the School of Social Work at Southern Adventist University. He went to Collegedale Academy, where he exhibited the same traits as he had at Richmond Academy. He had a positive and impactful influence at both College Academy and within the larger Collegedale community. He also had mentors at Southern Adventist University who guided him in scholarly and sports activities. He took advantage of every opportunity to serve others well, including offering support and encouragement to those who needed it. At Collegedale Academy, he was very well-liked by almost everyone. As one of his friends described, “He reflected Christ in every way,” he always loved associating with and helping people. His daily life was evidenced and characterized by true friendship, honesty, courage, brevity, and selflessness, even to the point of dying in place of a distressed drowning friend he saved. He was a true blessing to all those who benefitted from his God-given gifts. In conclusion, Chakomboka was on a heavenly mission and faithfully completed his assignment. His legacy is still being reflected at Collegedale Academy and the community.

Name

"Cornus florida, commonly known as flowering dogwood, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows 15-30’ tall with a low-branching, broadly-pyramidal but somewhat flat-topped habit. It arguably may be the most beautiful of the native American flowering trees. It is native from Maine to southern Ontario to Illinois to Kansas south to Florida, Texas and Mexico. It is the state tree of Missouri and Virginia. It blooms in early spring (April) shortly after, but usually overlapping, the bloom period of the redbuds. The true dogwood flowers are actually tiny, yellowish green and insignificant, being compacted into button-like clusters. However, each flower cluster is surrounded by four showy, white, petal-like bracts which open flat, giving the appearance of a single, large, 3-4” diameter, 4-petaled, white flower. Oval, dark green leaves (3-6” long) turn attractive shades of red in fall. Bright red fruits are bitter and inedible to humans (some authors say poisonous) but are loved by birds. Fruits mature in late summer to early fall and may persist until late in the year.

Genus name comes from the Latin wordcornumeaning horn in probable reference to the strength and density of the wood.Cornusis also the Latin name for cornelian cherry.

Specific epithet comes from the Latin wordflosflower in reference to its attractive spring flowers.

Common name of dogwood is in probable reference to an old-time use of hard slender stems from this tree for making skewers once known as dags or dogs.

‘Cherokee Chief’ is a cultivar that is noted for it deep rose red floral bracts. New foliage is tinged with red. U.S. Plant Patent PP1710 (1958)."

Retrieved on 6/6/19 from:
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