I tried to find a piece of Dogwood plank to go along with the 'legend' but there was nothing available with the bark left on.
Handsome Woodman is working on getting me some Dogwood planks for future use.
~~~GB~~~
The Legend of the Dogwood
?When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven,
And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.
?Being distressed at the use of the wood,
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
'Never again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so,
Slender and twisted it shall always be,
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
?'The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown,
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be,
A reflection to all of my agony.'?
http://www.creationtips.com/dogwood.html