April Tree of the Month: Eastern Redbud

 

 

 

 

The Eastern Redbud is native to the eastern United States and is the state tree of Oklahoma.  The Redbud is one of the first bloomers in spring, with brilliant purple-rose flowers budding from it’s signature dark grey bark.  Spring flowers appear before any foliage, making the blooms even more striking and beautiful.  The Redbud’s flowers and replaced by seedpods followed by foliage.  The Redbud’s leaves are green and heart shaped.  In the fall, the leaves turn yellow before dropping for winter.  

 

 

 

 

The Eastern Redbud reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet tall, and at full growth, may grow to be 20 to 30 feet wide.  At full growth, the tree will exhibit a vase shaped branching structure, making it ideal as a specimen tree.  The Eastern Redbud also attracts several pollinators throughout the year!  Keep an eye out for bees collecting pollen, hummingbirds drinking Redbud nectar and butterflies dancing throughout the blooms!  

Redbuds prefer to be planted in partial to full sun.  They require regular watering and prefer fertile soil; however they are able to tolerate clay soils. 

 

In addition to the Eastern Redbud, Pine Lane Nursery also carries the Lavender Twist, Forest Pansy and a weeping Redbud.