Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud. Cercis canadensis, the eastern redbud, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, native to eastern North America from southern Michigan south to central Mexico, west to New Mexico, but able to thrive as far west as California and as far north as southern Ontario. It is the state tree of Oklahoma and the official city tree of Huntington Beach. The prevalence of the so-called "Columbus strain" has seen the residents of Columbus, Wisconsin, embrace the plant in their city's identity. Known as the "Redbud City," the town hosts "Redbud Day" annually the Saturday before Mother's Day, organizing a variety of themed events to recognize the tree.
Growing & care
- Sun: part sun to full sun. Tolerates more shade than most flowering trees, especially in hot southern climates.
- Water: average. Drought-tolerant once established; supplemental water during prolonged summer dry spells.
- Soil: wide range from sandy to clay loam. Tolerates both acidic and alkaline soil if drainage is adequate.
- Hardiness: USDA zones 4–9. Select locally sourced seedlings or cultivars adapted to your region — Texas-origin plants struggle in Michigan winters and vice versa.
- Mature size: 20–30 feet tall, 25–35 feet wide. Multi-trunked specimens are natural; single-leader pruning produces a more upright form.
- Pruning: light shaping in late winter or right after bloom; redbuds resent heavy pruning.
Propagation
Seed propagation requires both scarification (acid or hot water treatment of the hard coat) and cold stratification — 60 days at 40°F. Most landscape redbuds are bud-grafted onto seedling rootstock to preserve cultivars like white-flowered 'Alba' or purple-leaved 'Forest Pansy'. Softwood cuttings are difficult.
Common problems
Canker diseases can kill branches or whole trees — prune out infected wood at least 6 inches into healthy tissue and sterilize tools between cuts. Verticillium wilt occasionally appears in soils with disease history. Treehoppers, leafhoppers, and webworms sometimes feed on foliage but rarely require treatment. Eastern redbud is non-toxic to dogs and cats per ASPCA listings; the flowers and young seed pods are even edible to humans and have a mild pea-like flavor.
Eastern Redbud — seeds, tools & books
Native range
Native to 31 states
