Question
Can you start a dogwood tree from the pods from the flower?

Answer
Hi Janet,
Thanx for your question.  The short answer to your question is yes, you can plant seeds of the dogwood tree and get new plants.  The long answer is, if your dogwood is a hybrid, the resulting seedlings will probably not resemble the parent because of they hybridization.  If you do want to try the seed, wait until the fruit is ripe and then remove all of the pulp from the seed.  Plant the seed immediately in a pot of good potting soil and leave outdoors for the winter or place in a plastic bag and seal and place inside the fridge for 90 days.  The seeds require a cold period of 40 degrees or below to break dormancy otherwise they won't germinate.  Some species require multiple periods of cold then warm.  If the seeds don't germinate after being left out all winter (give them 30 days of consistent warmer temperatures (60-65 F) to germinate) put them in the fridge as indicated above for another 90 days and then return to a warm but not hot environment.  Germination should occur by then.  Allow the seedlings to get at least one set of true leaves (the first set is usually seed leaves and will drop off) before gently pricking them out of the planting medium and planted in separate pots.  Set the pots out in a shaded area that is protected from rain, wind, hail and direct sunlight for 10 days to acclimate the seedling to the outdoors (unless you have already been growing the seeds outdoors).  After that, dogwoods prefer shady to semi-shady areas (shady particularly in hotter climates).  I Hope this helps.
Tom