Did you know you can make wood stain from them? We have many of them, i think the biggest is down near the picnic area. Sure makes a mess.I think people like the way they look when they bloom and as you said, Bunny, in the fall. There aren't too many around here. People seem to prefer the Flowering Dogwoods here as they are the state flower. Frankly I like the wild plums the best when they bloom in the spring. This past spring the whole woods smelled like blossoms.
What I hate are the black walnuts. When they fall and hide in the grass you hit them with your lawnmower. I am not a fan of that sound nor of the black ooze that splatters all over your legs when the the pieces hit you.