Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Dimensions:

• Height: 20’ - 30’

• Mature spread: 20’ - 35’

• Trunk Diameter: 8” - 12”

Habitat and Range:

• common throughout the state and is planted ornamentally in lawns and gardens

• occurs in the forest understory in moist rich woods, along the banks of streams, in ravines, on bluffs, in open rocky woods and abandoned farmlands

Features:

• flowers of redbud are produced on the trunk and at the base of all branches, except the current year’s new shoots

• these clustered, scentless pink to lavender pea-shaped flowers emerge before the leaves and are edible; they make a tasty and nutritious garnish

• Eastern redbud is one of first trees to bloom in early spring and looks stunning with dogwoods, which bloom around the same time

• redbud flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees

History:

• Native Americans used the roots and bark for medicinal purposes and to add color to baskets

• George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were known to greatly appreciate redbuds

• Native Americans boiled the bark to make tea for treatment of whooping cough