Leaf:  Alternate, simple; 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches (6 to 11 cm) long and broad;  strongly heart-shaped with broad, short point; without teeth; with 5 to 9 main veins; long-stalked; dull green and smooth above, paler and sometimes hairy beneath; leafstalks slender, up to 5 inches long, usually smooth; turning yellow in autumn.

Flower:  In small clusters on last year's branches or on the trunk, 4 to 8 flowers in a cluster on slender stalks, rose-purple (rarely white), each pea-shaped with 5 slightly unequal purplish-pink petals, about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long, appearing in early spring before leaves.

Fruit:  Flat, narrowly oblong pods 2 1/2 to 3 1/4 inches (6 to 8 cm) long; pointed at ends; pink, turning brown or blackish; splitting open on one edge; falling in late autumn or winter; with several beanlike, flat, elliptical, dark brown seeds. 

Twig:  Slender, zigzag, smooth, angular, brown; leaf scars alternate, somewhat elevated, triangular, hairy across the top, with 3 bundle traces; buds small, rounded, chestnut-brown, smooth or nearly so. 

Bark:  Dark gray or reddish-brown; smooth in young trees, becoming furrowed into long plates and thin scales. 

Form:  Small tree to 35 feet tall; trunk diameter up to 1 foot; crown usually broad and flattened with spreading branches.
 

Discussion

The redbud tree is too small to produce wood of commercial importance, but the wood is sometimes used locally for small turned articles of cabinet work.

Bobwhites and some other small birds and deer feed from the seeds of the redbud's legume.  The blooms are sometimes used as a source of nectar for honey producers.  A common practice in Mexico is to pickle the blossoms and fry them or use them for salads.  An extract from the redbud bark has been used to treat dysentery.  However, the major importance of this small tree lies in its value as an ornamental because of its spectacular appearance when in flower.

An Old World cousin of the redbud has long been known as the Judas tree.  According to legend, its flowers were once white; but when Judas Iscariot hanged himself from one of its boughs after betraying Jesus, the flowers turned red from shame.  Cercis is the classical Greek name of the Old World Judas tree and the name canadensis was assigned because the redbud was thought to be a native to Canada. 

Distinguishing Characteristics 

The heart shaped, toothless leaves easily identify this tree. 

Distribution

Connecticut across to southern Wisconsin, south to Texas, east to northern Florida; also Mexico.

Images

Click each small picture to see a larger image.

October, 2002 RK	October, 2002 RK	October, 2002 RK	February, 2003
October, 2002 RK	February, 2003 February, 2003	April, 2003	April, 2003 Redbud habitat	April, 2003 Flower cluster

Location

N 39.27760° W -89.87864°                                                                         
234 East Second South Street, Carlinville, Macoupin County, IL.

Copyright

Photos © 2002 Ray Knight and Kurt Koegler, Carlinville High School, linke@carlinvilleschools.net

References

Elbert L. Little, Field Guide to North American Trees:  Eastern Region, 1980, Alfred A. Knopf.

Robert H. Mohlenbrock, Forest Trees of Illinois, 1996, Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

William C. Grimm, Familiar Trees of America, 1967, Harper & Row.

USDA Plants Database
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/cercan/value_and_use.html

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