Meet This Tree: Cercis canadensis – ‘Forest Pansy’ eastern redbud

Editor’s Note: This week Emina Darakjy, a very knowledgeable tree enthusiast we are lucky to call a Buzz contributor, introduces us to another stunning climate-appropriate tree. When we started this feature, we had just reported on the latest loss of a mature street tree. We hope these columns will inspire readers to plant new trees. Planting a tree is a simple step we can all take to combat climate change and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. This magnificent ornamental tree will reward you for your efforts for years to come. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any tree questions for Emina!

All varieties of redbuds belong to the legume family (Fabaceae). The eastern redbud is native to the Eastern United States and is found growing in many areas across the country. This tree is not to be confused with the Cercis occidentalis commonly known as the Western Redbud and is native to California.

The Eastern Redbud is a large shrub or a small to medium size deciduous fast -growing tree reaching a height of about 25 feet to 35 feet with a short trunk and a rounded crown.

The trunk/bark is grayish-brown, smooth when young becoming fissured and scaly as the tree matures.

The leaves are simple alternate, heart-shaped with a pointed tip. The leaves are shiny green when they first come out changing to red and orange in late summer. The leaves of a cultivar called ‘Forest Pansy’ are maroon color.

In the spring, from March to May and before the leaves come out, clusters of bright mauve-pink flowers are borne on bare branches including parts of the trunk. The flowers are shaped like tiny peas, serve as good pollinators, and are followed by flat paper-thin green seed pods, before they turn dark brown and split open, releasing their seeds.

The Eastern Redbud is easy to grow, requires low maintenance, prefers a well-drained soil, moderate watering, full sun to partial shade, and has no known pests or diseases.

The Eastern Redbud is very often grown as a multi trunk but can be trained to be a single trunk. This tree is rarely planted as a street tree. Because of its spectacular flowers it is an excellent choice as an ornamental tree in a park or in one’s garden.

There are several species within the Redbud family, the one called ‘Forest Pansy’ is the better suited one for California.

In 1937, the eastern redbud was officially designated as the state tree of Oklahoma, where you can find it wildly growing on hills and valleys throughout the state.

It is also said that Native Americans enjoyed eating the flowers and buds of this tree and used its bark to make medicine to treat various ailments.

With all the many spectacular flowering trees around us, if you are looking for that extra ‘Wow Factor,’ the eastern redbud is the tree for you.

Emina Darakjy is a past president of Pasadena Beautiful and is its present Tree Program Chair. Darakjy says she has always had a passion for trees and that she is involved with several other tree organizations such as California Re-Leaf, the Arbor Day Foundation, and American Forests. She is a past president of Street Tree Seminar Inc. and the present president of the California Urban Forests Council.