Dogwoods in bloom

Dogwoods are one of the first things to bloom around here in spring. Last spring, when they were in full bloom, the trees looked like they were covered with snow.

The blooming of the dogwoods is the announcement, at least in my neighborhood, that spring is here and that other plants will soon be following.

Last spring, the trunk of the dogwood tree in my front yard was split in two by lightning from an overnight storm. I didn't even hear it. But when I walked out the next morning, half the tree was lying on the lawn.

I wasn't sure the remainder would survive, but all the branches are blooming this weekend. The photo was taken in the early afternoon.