Question
I appear to have either a European Buckthorn or a dogwood tree/shrub in my back yard - it has grape size and shaped berries (about 2 cm), red in colour, which when I cut into them have a pit, oval in shape and ridged.  the leaves are dark green, opposite, and with curved veins.  there do not appear to be teeth on the leaves, and the berries are very smooth (they look just like grapes once picked, without any stub on the end which is why I don't think it is a dogwood).  there is also a small thorn on the tips of the twigs (not sharp).

I also have a 1 year old, very curious child.  Will it hurt him if he puts one of these berries in his mouth?

Thanks
Tara

Answer
Tara,

From your description I believe you have a dogwood.  Buckthorn have multiple seeds in the fruit and turn from to black in color.  

I have not read that dogwood fruit are toxic, so I do not believe there is a problem.  

Good luck

Gary