Eastern Redbud.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

9 to 12 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Early to mid spring

Care

Plant in a spot with well draining soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or cankers during humid weather. Prune only after flowering to maintain a nice shape.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth appears.

Pruning

Prune immediately after the flowers fade to remove dead wood and improve structure.

Repotting

Repot only if necessary when the tree is young, as they prefer to stay in the ground.

Soil

Loamy, moist, well draining

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 50 to 70 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans, though it is not typically consumed as a primary food source.

Pets

This plant is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.

Children

The flat, dry seed pods can be a choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

There are no significant skin irritants associated with this tree.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

While the flowers are edible, the seeds and pods are not considered food and should be avoided.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped leaves
• Pink flowers on bare branches
• Zigzagging branch pattern
• Small reddish brown seed pods

Height

4.5 to 9m

Spread

4.5 to 10m

Leaves

green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

pink, magenta, white, 1 to 1.5cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• Cercis CankerCommon
• Leaf SpotCommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Leaf ScorchUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Verticillium WiltUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special winter protection is needed once established. A layer of mulch around the base helps maintain soil moisture and protects roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.

In containers

It is generally too large for long term container growth, though dwarf cultivars can thrive in large pots for several years.

Plant understory perennials around the base to keep the root zone cool and moist.

Grows well with

• Serviceberry — They share similar woodland habitat requirements and bloom at the same time.
• Hosta — These shade lovers thrive under the canopy of the redbud.

Similar species

• Chinese Redbud — It is a smaller, shrubby relative with more intense flower clusters.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Cercis

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and central North America.

Conservation

This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives as an understory tree in open woodlands and along forest edges where it benefits from dappled light.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, early season forage

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental specimen, woodland garden, pollinator habitat

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but appreciates some light afternoon shade in hotter climates.

How fast does it grow?

It is considered a moderate grower, typically adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cercis comes from the Greek word for a weaver's shuttle, referring to the shape of the seed pods. The species name canadensis refers to its presence in Canada, though its range extends much further south.

Good to know

• The heart shaped leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall.
• Native Americans historically used the bark to treat various ailments.
• It is the state tree of Oklahoma.