Geographic range and origin: Eastern redbud is native to eastern and central North America. It is widely distributed from southern New England and Ontario, through the midwest, and south to Texas and Northern Florida.
Habitat: Redbud occurs in the understory of moist, rich deciduous forests, open forests and edges. It grows on a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained, fertile soils with circumneutral or higher pH.
Description: Eastern redbud is a relatively small deciduous tree, reaching a mature height of 15 to 40 feet (4.5 to 12 m), typically with widely spreading branches. Bark is smooth and dark on younger trees and becomes shaggy on older trees. Leaves are simple, alternate, and heart shaped to nearly circular; smooth; 2.5 to 5 inches (6-13 cm) in length and width.
Vase-shaped crown and widely spreading branches of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) (Photo by C. Small, 4/15/2017)
Heart-shaped leaves of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Reproduction: Redbud is one of the first trees to bloom in early spring, with flowers appearing before leaves emerge. Trees typically produce thousands of pink to purplish flowers, in clusters, often directly on the tree trunk. Each flower includes both male and female parts. Individual flowers about 0.5 inches long and bilaterally symmetric, with 5 petals arranged in a pea-like structure. Flowers may be self-pollinated or pollinated by insects. Fruit is a flat, thin pod (legume) 1.5 to 4 inches long (4-10 cm), maturing in summer or fall and persisting through the winter.
Unopened flower bud of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) (Photo by C. Small, 3/15/2017)
Bilaterally symmetric flowers of eastern redbud (Cercis candensis). Flowers have 5 petals and occur in clusters (Photo by C. Small, 4/18/2015)
Thin flat pod fruit (legume) of eastern redbud (Cercis candensis) in late summer, an important wildlife food source (Photo by M. Gruenstaeudl, 6/2/2009)
Conservation status: Relatively common, widespread and abundant throughout its natural range
Ecological importance: Fruits (legume pods) are an important food source in late summer and fall for many birds, wildlife, and livestock, including goldfinches, quail, white-tailed deer, and cattle.
Datasheet & phenophase definitions for eastern redbud from Nature's Notebook (National Phenology Network)
Cultural importance or uses: A popular ornamental landscaping tree planted for its attractive flowers and leaves and tolerance of dry conditions. Flowers used as a source of nectar in honey production and may be pickled or eaten fresh in salads. Redbud bark extract has been used medicinally in the treatment of dysentery and other ailments. Wood is of little commercial value because of the small tree size. Formerly used in restoration and replanting of formed surface mined sites.
National Phenology Network "Phenophase Photoguide" created for eastern redbud (by C. Small)
References:
Brakie, M. 2010. Plant fact sheet for eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, East Texas Plant Materials Center. Nacogdoches, TX 75964. Url: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_ceca4.pdf (Accessed 3/3/2018)
Swanson, R.E. 1994. A Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.
Sullivan, J. 1994. Cercis canadensis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Url: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/ (Accessed 3/3/2018)
USDA, National Resources Conservation Service. 2018. Cercis canandensis L. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC, USA. Url: https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=CECA4 (Accessed 3/4/2018)