Cornus mas Szafer - European Cornel

Cornus mas 'Szafer' (also known as 'Shafer') is a Polish variety of cornelian cherry, exceptional due to the high sugar content (16%) and nutrient content of its fruits, as well as its harvest period that extends over a month and a half between late August and early October. The fruits of this selection are fairly large, pear-shaped, and dark red when ripe. They have a very sweet flavour, with low acidity and hints of cherry, currant, and raspberry. They can be enjoyed raw or transformed into compotes, jellies, jams, and more. This variety selected at the Bolestraszyce Arboretum has a medium growth habit (4m in height and 3m in spread), an upright habit, and a conical crown.

Cornus mas is a beautiful and easy-to-grow shrub. It does not mind harsh winters, hot summers, or chalky soils! To fulfil its potential, this variety should not lack water before early summer. The presence of another Cornus mas nearby will increase the tree's productivity.

Cornus mas is native to Europe. Like all Cornus, it belongs to the Cornaceae family. It is a spreading shrub that reaches a height of 3 to 5 metres and the same in width at maturity. It thrives in sunlight and is not demanding: it grows well in chalky, ordinary, or even poor soil, but also tolerates slightly more acidic soils.

Its bright yellow flowers appear in February-March, before the leaves, in the form of numerous small umbels, and does not mind frost. Its deciduous leaves are ovate, 4 to 10 cm long, and arranged opposite each other on its square-sectioned branches. They are slightly wavy. The foliage takes on beautiful yellow, orange, or red tones before falling in autumn. Fruiting occurs in late summer, earlier or later depending on the variety, in the form of drupes of varying colour, size, and shape.

In the kitchen:

Cornel cherries are naturally rich in vitamin C, minerals, and pectin. They can be consumed raw or dried, similar to goji berries, as well as cooked. They can be used in compotes mixed with cranberries and pears to accompany game dishes. They can also be frozen. These fruits yield a delicious syrup with high vitamin content. They have been used for centuries in the preparation of jams, jellies, and compotes. It is usually necessary to add sugar.

Cornus mas is also renowned for its dense and very hard wood, once used to make arrows, javelins, tool handles or walking sticks.

This is a very versatile shrub for the garden. It tolerates pruning and can be used as an informal or trimmed hedge, or even as a specimen plant. It pairs well with other spring-flowering shrubs such as Japanese Quince or Korean White Forsythia. In addition to its ornamental value, it is appreciated for its ecological interest: its early flowering provides food for the first bees and other pollinators, and its fruits are loved by birds.