Redbuds are small- to medium-sized deciduous trees. Winter buds have several scales and are superposed. Leaves are alternate, entire, large, and palmately veined. Flowers are usually bisexual and showy. Fruit is a flat pod.
Cercis canadensis–Eastern Redbud
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| Eastern Redbud |
Eastern Redbud–Cercis Canadensis
The redbud is sometimes called the Judas tree from its oriental relative of the same name. Redbud is a woodland-edge tree occurring under taller trees, or on the borders of hillside fields and in valleys throughout the state except in the northeastern portion. In western Ohio, redbud is abundant. It ordinarily attains a height of 25—50 feet and a trunk diameter of 6—12 inches. Stout branches usually form a wide, flat head.
The leaves are alternate with entire leaf margins. Leaves are 23/4—43/4 inches (7—12 cm) long. Round or broadly ovate leaves are palmately veined with cordate leaf bases. Foliage is glossy green, turning a bright, clear yellow in autumn.
Winter buds have several scales and are superposed. The bark on young branches is bright reddish-brown, while the mature bark divides into long, narrow plates that separate into thin scales.
The conspicuous, bright pink to purplish-red, pea-shaped flowers are in clusters along the twigs and small branches. The inflorescence is usually bisexual and showy. Flowers appear before, or with, the leaves in April or May. Redbuds often flower at the same time as the native, white-flowered, flowering dogwood.
The fruit is an oblong, flattened pod with many seeds, 2—4 inches (5—10 cm) long. Pods are green at first, then turn red, and then brown when ripe in September or October. The fruit often hangs on the trees most of the winter.
The wood is heavy; hard; not strong; rich, dark brown in color; and of little commercial importance. The redbud is cultivated as an ornamental tree and for that purpose might be planted more generally in Ohio. While named cultivars have been introduced, they are difficult to propagate asexually and are rarely found. The tree is short-lived as an ornamental but reseeds itself readily. This woodland-edge tree does not do well in full sun and seems to require a partially shaded situation.