The redbud tree is a small, flowering tree native to the eastern United States often used in landscapes because of its beautiful spring flowers and the ease of its growth.
The tree gets its name from the purple or magenta blooms that burst from its twigs and branches in April. After a couple of weeks, the blooms fade and are replaced by four inch wide leaves that are medium green and heart shaped. Three inch seed pods develop from the fertilized flowers. In fall, the leaves turn gold.
Redbuds, like all trees, are best planted in the fall when the leaves have fallen and the plant is dormant. This gives it all winter for its roots to adjust. Trees are widely available from nurseries usually at a reasonable price. Planting the tree in spring is also common. Growth is about one to two feet a year.
Situate the tree at least 12 feet from any other tree. A sunny spot or half shady one will do just fine. Because of its limited size, redbuds can be planted beneath power lines provided they are 20 feet above the ground. Redbuds look great in informal groupings if a large area is available.
To plant a tree growing in a pot, dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole with a garden fork then partially refill the hole so that the tree roots will be same depth as they were in the pot.
Cut away the sides of the pot being careful not to damage the roots or break up the root ball. Place the rootball in the hole so that the tree trunk is vertical. Add a little more soil to bottom if needed to position the tree at the right level. Refill the hole with the original soil mixed with some compost. Tamp the soil in around the rootball so that no air pockets are left. Be sure to water well for a couple of weeks.
Redbud trees will reseed themselves when the pods drop to the ground. The tiny seedlings can be transplanted and used to start new trees.
At maturity, the redbud reaches about 20 feet and height, and its branches spread somewhat wider than its height. The plant tends to branch close to the ground but can be trained as it grows to have a single trunk that does not branch for the first six feet.
The shade cast by the redbud is mottled which allows grass to grow. However, it is best to have a few feet around the trunk in permanent mulch or groundcover such as lirope.
Needing some occasional trimming, redbuds are not particular about watering and fertilizing. It will need watering in the first few years after planting until the root system becomes well established.
One variety of redbud, the alba variety, has white blooms instead of purple. These are known as whitebuds and are similar to redbuds in most respects but are harder to find and several times more expensive. The variety is not as hardy or easy to grow as a redbud since it is not a natural cultivar.
Given the scientific name of Cercis Canadensis, the eastern redbud, as it sometimes known, has a native range from the Florida Panhandle to the southern Great Lakes and from central Kansas to the East Coast. The redbud is an under story tree that grows in the shade of taller trees and tends to be more of a large shrub in thick forests.
In the southern Appalachians, the redbud is sometimes called the spicewood tree because the green twigs are used for seasoning wild game. Native Americasn ate the seeds and flowers. The redbud is a relative of the pea plant.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cercis_canadensis
http://www.treehelp.com/trees/redbud/index.asp
