Redbud trees produce a colorful spring show
Looking for a showy, spring blooming tree for your landscape? Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a species worthy of consideration.
The Eastern Redbud, a small deciduous tree native to eastern North America, is in the legume family (related to peas and beans).
One of the first trees to bloom in the spring, the reddish-purple buds begin to open before the tree leafs out, providing a striking display before other trees have foliage.
The red bud is an excellent choice for a pollinator garden as an early spring nectar source for bees, butterflies, moths and other insects. In particular, the red bud serves as a host plant for Henry's Elfin butterfly (Callophrys henrici).
Redbud typically grows 20 to 30 feet high with a broad, rounded crown and dark reddish brown bark, whose deep fissures that are bright cinnamon brown or orange. A weeping form is available as a cultivar.
When young, redbuds are fast growing but slow to a medium growth rate as they mature. They may be grown as a tree with a single, short trunk or can be multi-stemmed with several trunks as a shrub.
To maintain as a tree form, young redbuds require good pruning to provide shaping and give strength to the trunk. Because redbud have a long tap root, it is not a tree that is easily transplanted.
In early spring, the flowers bloom close to the branch in clusters of four to eight and range in color from light pink to dark magenta. The flower shape is similar to those found on their pea and bean relatives.
The trees bloom and grow best in full sun but can be grown in partial shade. After flowering, long, flat, pods of seeds form and mature in mid- to late- summer. In ideal conditions, the tree can self-seed but is not invasive or prolific.When the heart-shaped leaves emerge, they are bright green with a red tinge changing to a dark green when mature; in the fall, they are bright yellow.There are a number of cultivars that offer a variety of colors in newly emerged leaves including burgundy, yellow, and gold-orange, all of which mature to green. Another cultivar with variegated leaves is available; however, it does not flower as heavily and needs protection from hot afternoon sun.Redbuds are tolerant of clay soil and drought but grow best in well-drained soil with regular watering in dry conditions. Redbud is not prone to insect damage or deer browsing but is susceptible to winter die-back as well as Verticillium Wilt (in wet areas) and Botryosphaeria canker.
To learn more about treating Botryosphaeria, visit https://extension.psu.edu/redbud-diseases. Redbud are tolerant of juglone, the chemical produced by black walnut trees so can be planted as an understory tree where black walnut grows.In the landscape, the Eastern redbud makes a great specimen tree if planted singly but also lends itself to small groupings and works well with other shrubs or perennials.It is an excellent choice for naturalized planting on wooded edges. Because it is a relatively small tree, it is also well-suited to smaller properties.Eastern redbud is a species to plant for many reasons!To learn more about varieties of Eastern Redbud trees, visit https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-redbud-a-superb-tree-for-almost-any-landscape. If you have questions about the Eastern Redbud or other native trees, call the Butler County Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287 4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.Mary Alice Koeneke is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.
