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Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud)
Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Cercis canadensis L.

Eastern redbud, Redbud

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

USDA Symbol: CECA4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Tree with short trunk, rounded crown of spreading branches, and pink flowers that cover the twigs in spring. Redbud is a 15-30 ft. tree with one to several picturesque, maroon-purple trunks and a wide, umbrella-like crown. Its pink flowers, borne in tight clusters along the stems and branches before new leaves appear, create a showy spring display. Smooth, heart-shaped, deciduous foliage does not have significant fall color. Trees from the southern part of the species’ range have smaller, glossier leaves and often a more compact form. Stunning tiny pink flower clusters cover the entire tree.

Three geographic varieties are recognized, with Cercis canadensis var. canadensis properly referred to as Eastern Redbud and occurring from the Atlantic coast to central Texas. It reaches the largest size, requires the most water, and has larger, less glossy leaves than the other varieties. Variety texensis, Texas Redbud, has smaller, glossier leaves with slightly wavy edges, a generally smaller form, and more of a tendency to have red seedpods than variety canadensis. It ranges from Oklahoma south through central Texas to northeastern Mexico. The smallest variety is C. canadensis var. mexicana, Mexican Redbud, with small, very glossy, wavy-edged leaves and a smaller, shrubbier stature than the others, occurring in west Texas and adjacent Mexico. All varieties are popular as ornamentals because of their brilliant early spring flowers, displayed en masse on the bare branches before the plant has leafed out. The flowers can be eaten as a salad or fried. A separate species, Cercis orbiculata, Western Redbud, occurs from Arizona to California. According to myth, Judas Iscariot hung himself on the related Judas-tree (Cercis siliquastrum L.) of western Asia and southern Europe, after which the white flowers turned red with shame or blood.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Leaf Shape: Cordate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Breeding System: Hermaphroditic
Fruit Type: Legume
Size Notes: 15-30
Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Length: Approximately 3-1/2 inches long.
Fruit Color: Red, Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV , DC
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: FL to TX, n. to PA, OH, s. MI, s. IA & s.e. NE
Native Habitat: Woods; stream banks; limestone bluffs
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, fertile, well-drained soils.
Texas comments: Eastern redbud has a short trunk, rounded crown of spreading branches, and pink flowers that cover the twigs in spring. Its pink flowers, borne in tight clusters along the stems and branches before new leaves appear, create a showy spring display.

Benefit

Use Food: Add flowers and flower buds to salads, breads and pancakes. They have a slightly sour taste, high in vitamin C. Young pods may be eaten raw, boiled or sauteed. (Tull)
Use Other: Boiled in water, redbud twigs produce a yellow dye. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Description: The simplest way to grow redbuds is to scarify seeds and plant outdoors in the fall. Cuttings are nearly impossible. Seedlings which may develop around mature trees are easily moved when very small.
Seed Collection: Harvest legumes when they turn brown and begin to dry. Early collection may minimize weevil damage. Collect large amounts to compensate for a high percentage of unsound seed. Air-dry seeds and store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Scarify for 10-20 minutes in concentrated sulfuric acid, then stratify for 30-60 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
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PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Cercis canadensis (Eastern redbud) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven)
   Albizia julibrissin (silktree)
   Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry)
   Salix ?sepulcralis (weeping willow)
   Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow)

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Mr. Smarty Plants, I am looking for a native alternative to a Japanese Red Maple. I would like a small tree that I can put in my front garden that will not pose a security risk my being overgrown and too large. We thought the Japanese Red Maple would be nice, because it is a smaller and more contained tree, but I do not want to introduce a non-native plant. PLEASE HELP!
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Looking for non poisonous shade trees for pasture with horses. Would prefer flowering or something that changes color. Thank you.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I have a redbud tree that was recently trimed back. When looking at the cross section of the branches, I noticed a brown circular ring. Is this a problem and if so what can I do to correct it?
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: I read two years ago that there was two different mimosa trees one that is common and has the smooth bark and the other one had a rough bark. I am Interested in the one who has the rough bark and the name of it.
click here to view the full question and answer

Question: Few weeks ago I sent you a letter but never got an answer back. I would like to have your suggestions of native plants for a butterfly garden (30'x 30') here in Waco. The plants must be (1)drought and heat tolerant, (2) perennial flowers, (3) trees and bushes. Thank you very much for your attention. Sincerely yours, Ken-Hsi Wang
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest :including recipes, harmful plants, natural dyes, and textile fibers: A Practical Guide (1999) Tull, D.
* How to Grow Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest: Revised and Updated Edition (2001) Nokes, J.
* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cercis canadensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cercis canadensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cercis canadensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-02-08
Research By: TWC Staff, GDG

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