Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus alternifolia,  a native dogwood with alternate, rather than opposite leaves..

This unusual shrub/tree, can be found from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Alabama in the U.S.

Our first trip to Big Creek Park in Geauga County (Chardon Twp).  It is a thick somewhat hilly forest with 3 ponds, a large creek, and 5 entrances, but is not entirely connected.  We walked the Trillium, Boreal, and Beechlands Trails, seeing an abundance of wildflowers and only 6 people hiking.  A windy day of 80 degrees made it perfect (except when the wind stopped).  We look forward to a return trip to walk the bridle trail.