
Cercis canadensis
- Most redbuds are native trees that display colorful pink to light purple blossoms in spring and usually have multiple trunks.
- The native Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a multi-trunked tree that yields pink blossoms in April and grows from 20 to 30 feet high and 25 to 35 feet wide.
How fast does a redbud tree grow?
Redbuds grow at a moderate rate, about 7 to 10 feet in five to six years. They tend to be short-lived, often declining from disease after about 20 years. Secondly, what is the best time to plant a redbud tree?
How tall does a western redbud tree grow?
Western redbud grows 12 to 20 feet tall, although it can be kept more compact with annual pruning. One tree in Santa Rosa stands 45 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 71 inches, according to Cal Poly. Click to see full answer. Also, how fast does western redbud grow? Tree Characteristics Width: 10 - 20 feet.
How to grow and propagate Redbud trees?
Redbud Tree Propagation Instructions
- Propagate the Redbud from Cuttings. Check out baby redbud trees on Amazon.
- Step 1 - Select and Make a Redbud Tree Cutting. In early June, after flowering and leaf production, select a healthy redbud tree with lateral branches at least four inches ...
- Step 2 - Prepare the Cutting for Propagation. ...
- Step 1 - Harvest Seeds. ...
How to grow a redbud tree?
Part 2 Part 2 of 2: Caring for the Seedlings
- Keep your saplings in a sunny spot. Place your pot or nursery container in a sunny window where it will get plenty of light.
- Water the seedlings once a week. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. ...
- Transfer the tree to the ground when it’s 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) tall. ...
- Move the redbud outside in early fall. ...
- Pick a sunny, well-drained spot. ...

Is eastern redbud a good tree?
Eastern redbud is an ideal garden tree. Trees can be used in small groupings, as specimens and for patios. Trees are suitable for small sites with full sun to partial shade. It is especially beautiful in woodland and naturalized gardens.
Can you keep an eastern redbud tree small?
Redbuds often have more than one trunk and will grow in a shrub-like manner that could end up being nearly as wide as it is tall. They can be pruned and trained to have one straight trunk and be grown like a small tree.
Where is the best place to plant a redbud tree?
They should be planted in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Redbuds are very pH adaptable and will grow equally well in alkaline or acidic soil. It's best to plant redbuds in an area with good air circulation to reduce the chance of fungal diseases.
How tall and wide do redbud trees get?
Redbuds are not large trees and will reach between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 m.) in height and 15 to 35 feet (4.5 to 0.6 m.) in width. The trunk is generally divided close to the ground.
Are redbud tree roots invasive?
Their surface roots can extent at least as far as its canopy is wide (10' to 15'. They have shallow surface roots that are thin and not considered invasive or aggressive. This small tree can be planted near patios, decks, and foundations without problems.
Are redbud trees messy?
Are redbud trees messy? The redbud trees are hardy, shade-tolerant, and beautiful flowering shrubs planted up to 8 feet from the house. They produce fragrant blooms and even edible fruit! Although they do drop seed pods, they aren't overly messy.
What is the prettiest redbud tree?
BEST VARIETIES FOR RESIDENTIAL GARDENS'Forest Pansy' (shown) is one of the most popular cultivars, with deep purple foliage and rose-colored flowers. ... 'Ruby Falls' is an excellent redbud for small spaces. ... 'Texas White' produces an abundance of bright white flowers and has leathery, glossy, bright green foliage.More items...
How far from the house should you plant a redbud?
Small trees such as dogwood, redbud, hawthorn or crab may be planted 15 to 20 feet apart and no closer than 8 feet from the house when used as an accent or corner planting.
What is the difference between American redbud and Eastern Redbud?
Eastern Redbud has light pink flowers with a slight rosy tint. During flowering, the tree looks lighter. At the same time, Western Redbud has slightly brighter pink flowers. They also have a purple hue.
What is the life expectancy of a redbud tree?
Life span: When healthy, the redbud tree should live from 50 to 70 years. However, with certain pathogens, particularly verticilliim wilt, a wilt disease caused by fungi, and trunk cancer can significantly decrease its lifespan.
What is the best tree for a small front yard?
Whether you've got a modest-size yard or are just running out of room to add more plants, these varieties will fit in perfectly.01 of 18. Crabapple. ... 02 of 18. Redbud. ... 03 of 18. Crape Myrtle. ... 04 of 18. Flowering Dogwood. ... 05 of 18. Kousa Dogwood. ... 06 of 18. Saucer Magnolia. ... 07 of 18. Fringe Tree. ... 08 of 18. Golden Chain Tree.More items...•
How quickly does a redbud tree grow?
Growth Rate This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
How do you keep a Redbud tree short?
The best time to prune redbud (Cercis canadensis) is in the spring just after the flowers have finished. Alternatively, you can prune it in late winter while it is still dormant and before it starts to bloom but you will be removing some of the blooms.
Are there dwarf redbud trees?
The Ruby Falls Redbud tree is a dwarf cascading beauty with tons of purple power! With maroon-purple leaves from spring to fall and lavender spring blooms you will be excited for spring to arrive! But this dwarf weeping redbud is even beautiful in winter with its flowing branches and distinctive habit.
What is the smallest Redbud tree?
Tennessee Pink (Cercis canadensis) This redbud tree is a dwarf variety, growing to a maximum of just 12 feet tall. This makes it an ideal specimen tree in smaller gardens, and it would also work well when grown in a container.
How do you shape a Redbud tree?
Select strong saddle-shaped forks to keep as part of the tree's main structure. Prune out upward-reaching branches with V-shaped saddles and bark clefts. Weak forks fail as the tree matures. Prune the redbud's lower limbs back to the trunk when most of the tree's canopy grows above head height.
How tall do eastern redbud trees grow?
At maturity, the eastern redbud reaches a height of about 20 to 30 feet. This tree grows at a moderate rate, increasing in height by 13 to around 2...
When to plant eastern redbud?
The best time to plant any tree, depending on your location, is generally in the spring or early fall. However, in warm regions, a tree can be plan...
How big do eastern redbud trees get?
At maturity, the eastern redbud has a spread of 25 to 35 feet at maturity.
When do eastern redbud trees bloom?
The eastern redbud is often one of the first trees to bloom in the spring. Flowering occurs between March and May. After flowering, the leaves cont...
How big is a redbud tree?
The Eastern redbud tree reaches 20 to 30 feet high and 25 to 35 feet wide. It forms into a vase shape and is prone to growing multiple trunks. The leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) and are approximately 3 to 5 inches across.
What is the scientific name for a redbud tree?
The scientific name for this tree is Cercis canadensis. It shares a spot in the Fabaceae (pea) family with other species like the Kentucky coffee tree, wattles ( Acacia spp.), powder puff tree ( Albizia julibrissin ), and wisteria ( Wisteria sinensis ). Eastern redbud is the common name for the genus. It can be referred to as simply "redbud," but ...
Why do redbuds have a short lifespan?
The species tends to have a short lifespan (on average, up to 20 years) because of disease, pest attacks, and other environmental factors.
How tall is Alba?
Alba: A naturally occurring form with white flowers; smaller than species tree, reaching about 15 to 25 feet in height
Where does Eastern Redbud come from?
The eastern redbud can grow successfully in zones 4 to 8. It originally comes from the midwestern and eastern United States. It is thought to be a drought-tolerant tree after a proper establishment period of one to two years.
When do redbud trees bloom?
The pea-like flowers are characteristic of the Fabaceae family and appear in late winter or early spring , even before the leaf buds start unfurling. Most redbud trees have pink flowers, and there are some varieties with white flowers.
Do Eastern redbuds grow in full sun?
Eastern redbuds grow well in full sun to part shade. Full sun typically encourages optimal flowering, but providing some shade is recommended in hot climates.
What is the Eastern Redbud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree is a showy flowering, deciduous tree native to North America. Scientifically known as Cercis canadensis, it will grow to 25′ tall and wide in full sun and well drained soil. The Redbud blooms a beautiful, prolific display of pink flowers in early Spring that lasts about a month and feeds numerous pollinators. [1] [2] [3]
Native Range of Eastern Redbud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree is native to a large swath of Eastern North America from Texas and Florida North to Iowa and even into Connecticut. It’s range even crosses over into Southern Ontario. This is a testament to it’s adaptability to different growing conditions.
Identification and Characteristics of Eastern Redbud Tree
As a general rule Eastern Rebud Trees grow 12-30′ tall with a short trunk but an irregular, wide-spreading canopy / crown. Often it is multi-stem or has multiple trunks.
Grow and Care for Eastern Rebud Tree
The Eastern Redbud Tree will grow 24″ per year in optimum conditions of full sun and well drained soil. [1]
How to Grow Eastern Redbud from Seed
Redbud seeds have a double dormancy in that they need both scarification and cold stratification to germinate. [9] [10]
Video Guide to growing Eastern Redbud Tree from seed
Below is a step by step guide I made some years ago to germinate Eastern Redbud Seeds.
Wildlife, Pests, and Diseases associated with Eastern Redbud
Bees are the primary pollinators of Eastern Redbud trees. This includes honeybees, bumblebees, mason bees, and numerous other species.
What state tree is Eastern Redbud?
The Eastern Redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma, the Sooner State.
Do redbuds need mulch?
The redbud is quite adaptable and requires minimal care. Mulch can be placed around the trunk of the tree, but should not touch the trunk to help retain moisture. Redbuds do well in most soil types but do require adequate drainage. They should receive partial shade, though they will produce more blossoms when exposed to full sun. Redbuds are susceptible to canker and borers, so regular tree maintenance, including annual inspection by an ISA Certified Arborist, is recommended.
How big does Eastern Redbud grow?
The Eastern Redbud grows from 20 to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity. This tree grows at a fast rate of about 2 feet per year under ideal conditions.
What color are the leaves on Eastern Redbud?
And as the leaves grew to full size they became dark green hearts about 4 inches wide. In fall the leaves turned lemon yellow . The graceful habit and branching structure of the Eastern Redbud and attractive bark add beauty to the winter landscape despite bare branches.
How to keep redbuds from destroying roots?
Adding a layer of mulch about 2 to 3 inches thick around the base of your Redbud will protect the roots and help them retain moisture. Be sure the mulch doesn’t touch the trunk as this increases the chances of pests and disease. Space the mulch about 1 inch from the trunk. Fertilizing.
Why is the Eastern Redbud tree called Spicewood?
2. The roots and bark were used before modern medicine to treat a variety of ailments. Native Americans treated whooping cough with a tea made from the boiled bark of the Eastern Redbud.
What is the best zone for redbuds?
The optimal planting zones for the Eastern Redbud are 4 to 9. These trees grow well in full sun or part shade. However you will get the heaviest blooming from trees in full sun. Redbuds are adaptable to any soil, including clay as long as it isn't saturated.
Where did George Washington transplant redbuds?
George Washington seems to have become enamored with Eastern Redbuds just like me! He actually transplanted them from the woods nearby to his gardens at Mount Vernon.
Is Eastern Redbud a good understory tree?
Often referred to as an understory tree, the Eastern Redbud doesn’t get nearly the credit it should. This tree is a showpiece! It makes a lovely focal point in your landscape and is even small enough for a mixed bed.
What is Eastern Redbud?
Commonly called eastern redbud, this deciduous tree in the legume family (Fabaceae) is commonly used as an ornamental in gardens and landscaping in zones 4 to 9. Eastern redbud is the state tree of Oklahoma. There are two varieties of this species with smaller, glossier leaves and often a more compact form that occur in Texas and Mexico, ...
Where is Eastern Redbud native to?
Eastern redbud is a small tree commonly used in Midwestern landscaping. Cercis canadensis is a small tree or large shrub native to eastern North America. Its native range extends from southern Iowa to Pennsylvania, south to northern Florida, and west into Texas where it is an understory tree in mixed forests especially on rich ...
What color are redbud leaves?
Redbud is common in residential landscapes. The thin, papery leaves on slender petioles may turn a bright, clear yellow color in the fall in some years but good fall color is unre liable.
How many seeds are in a pod of a sage tree?
Each of the 2-4 inch long pods contain 4-12 flat, elliptical brown to black kidney-shaped seeds. When numerous, the pods may detract from the appearance of the tree, but heavy fruit crops do not occur every year. The pods can be persistent or fall in early winter.
How many flowers does a sage tree have?
It is a cauliflorous tree, producing clusters of 4-8 flowers in fascicles at the axils of the leaves and along the branches and sometimes on the trunk, but most are on two-year-old wood. The flowers range in color from light rosy pink to dark magenta, and there are white forms.
When do redbud trees bloom?
Redbud is one of the first trees to bloom in early spring. The numerous reddish purple buds start opening before the tree leafs out for a very showy display for about a month when most other trees are still bare. Trees may bloom profusely even when very young.
What color is the bark of a cinnamon orange tree?
Trees grow quickly when young, then have a medium growth rate. The dark red brown bark has a scaly surface and forms deep fissures to expose the cinnamon-orange interior. On older trees there can be dark purplish patches on the bark, and the trunk may become twisted with age.
How many inches of growth does a redbud tree have?
Growth Rate: 13 to 24 inches per year. This purple redbud tree adds distinction to your landscape with its regal purple leaves in spring, summer, and into fall. The fall foliage is golden yellow to fiery orange. The spring flowers of the Forest Pansy Redbud tree are purple.
How big do redbuds get?
As you can see, most redbuds grow fairly quickly for their relatively small size. They can easily grow more than one foot per year, but rarely grow more than two feet in a single year.
What is a redbud tree?
Redbud trees are beautiful flowering trees that mesmerize us with their stunning sweetpea like blooms that thoroughly cover the canopy of these tre es in early spring. They also boast pretty heart-shaped leaves. Most redbud trees are large enough to provide some nice shade, but small enough to comfortably fit in a small yard.
How tall does a Ruby Falls Redbud tree get?
If you’re considering growing redbud trees in containers, this is the dwarf redbud tree for you! The Ruby Falls Redbud only grows to a mere 6 to 8 feet tall! This weeping redbud has branches that cascade beautifully down to the ground. The leaves are purple in spring and fall and green in summer.
How often should I fertilize my redbud tree?
I recommend a balanced slow release fertilizer. You will only need to use this product once or twice a year. Early spring is the best time to fertilize your redbud tree.
What affects the growth of redbud trees?
Soil, sun, water, and climate affect growth rates of trees. You will always have the best growth rates when your tree is well maintained and in an ideal spot. Check that your growing zone is approved for the redbud you choose. The growing zone recommendations vary between the different varieties of redbud trees .
When does a redbud tree grow?
Rising Sun Redbud. This small redbud tree is vibrant and colorful. It boasts green, yellow, and orange leaves in spring and summer and yellow leaves in fall. Like most trees, the Rising Sun Redbud grows quickly when it is young and then around years 10 to 15 it slows in growth.
How tall is a redbud tree?
Leaves are heart-shaped with a long stem. Redbuds are not large trees and will reach between 20 and 30 feet (6 and 9 m.) in height and 15 to 35 feet (4.5 to 0.6 m.) in width. The trunk is generally divided close to the ground.
How long do redbud trees live?
Growing redbud trees in naturalized or woodland areas is popular as is using them for a shrub border or specimen. Redbud trees do not live long and will usually die from disease within 20 years.
What is the tree called that hangs?
The redbud tree ( Cercis canadensis) is a member of the bean family and is known as a Judas tree because according to some, Judas Iscariot used a relative of the redbud to hang himself.
