Eastern Redbud

Dramatic and eye-catching, the eastern redbud is a burst of color that draws in pollinators, songbirds, and small mammals. It can be found throughout most of the United States, although it is native to the eastern and south-central U.S. It is the state tree of Oklahoma.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cercis canadensis

HISTORY: Several Native American tribes (such as the Alabama, Cherokee, Delaware, Kiowa, and Oklahoma tribes) used redbud for medicinal purposes. The bark was made into tea for whooping cough, cold infusions of the roots and inner bark treated fevers and congestion, and an infusion of bark was used to treat vomiting and fever. In 1571, exploring Spaniards noted the presence of the eastern redbud, comparing it to species found in the Mediterranean region. George Washington also recorded appreciation for the beauty of the eastern redbud and would transplant seedlings from a nearby forest to his garden.

LEAVES: Eastern redbud leaves are heart-shaped can grow to 3-5 inches long and have a long, slender petiole (leafstalk). They are dark green in the summer and yellow or yellow-green in the fall.

FRUIT/CONE/NUT/SEEDS: As a member of the pea family, eastern redbuds grow 2-3 inch legumes (or pea-pods) that are reddish-green to brown.

FLOWERS: Eastern redbuds earn their name from their early spring flower, small clusters of pea-like rose-pink to magenta blossoms. They develop on branches and twigs in early May.

BARK: The bark is brown with hints of orange-red coloration underneath, which comes through when older bark peels off.

HEIGHT: Eastern redbuds can attain heights of 20-30 feet.

USES: Eastern redbud wood is not typically available for commercial sale, but can sometimes be used by hobbyists to make small specialty wood items like carvings. It is primarily used as an ornamental tree.

SOURCES:

https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/redbud/#cultivars

https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/cs_ceca4.pdf

https://www.wood-database.com/eastern-redbud/

https://shop.arborday.org/eastern-redbud

The Beardsley Avenue District Tree Tour is generously sponsored by Kallimani Tree Services.