Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Plant Specifics

Form:	Tree
Size:	25-30 ft tall by 25-35 ft wide
Life Span:	Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:	Pink
Fruit Color:	Brown
Phenology:	Deciduous. Blooms late winter-spring. Fruits ripen summer-fall. Lifespan <50 yrs (Nelson) but in south part of range, likely much less (Denton)
Noted for:	Showy flowers, Interesting foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:	Moderate-sized specimen tree.
Considerations:	At the extreme south end of its range, it may not bloom well. The wood is weak and is likely to break off during a high wind event unless grouped with other trees and shrubs.
Propagation:	Seed.
Availability:	Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Quality nurseries, Seed
Light:	Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:	always floodedextremely dry
	(Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Short very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance:	Usually moist, occasional inundation ----- to ----- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:	Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:	Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or other substrate:	Loam, Sand
Soil pH:	Slightly acidic to somewhat calcareous.

Ecology

Wildlife:
Insects:	Larval host for Henry's elfin (Callophrys henrici) and io moth (Automeris io). Popular with bees including bumblebees.
Native Habitats:	Upland hardwood forests. Bluffs, hammocks, secondary woods.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Comments

Ethnobotany:	Flowers and young pods are edible.
General Comments:	Bloom can be long lasting relative to other early spring blooming trees -- as long as a month. Duration is dependent on temperature. Flowers grow directly from the trunk.