References: The National Arbor Day Foundation https://www.arborday.org/
Signs Designed by Amanda Parsons, Natural Resources and Recreation Management student.
Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)
The Redbud’s native range is North and Central America. It may grow between 20 to 30 feet in height and have a trunk diameter of 8 to 12 inches. The Redbud prefers moist soils in valleys and slopes. The Redbud is considered a smaller tree. It is a favorite among people for its bright pink flowers that sprout between the months of March and April; therefore, it is commonly used in landscaping.
The leaves of the Redbud are simple, broad, and flat. They are heart-shaped and grow alternate, or not across from each other on its branches. The fruits of the Redbud are in a red pod-like capsule. The seeds are ¼ inches in size. Rose purple flowers then bloom to give this tree its eye-opening pink color. The leaves will turn a yellow to greenish in the autumn before falling off.
A Redbud’s bark is smooth and flat with a dark brown to black color. As the tree ages the bark will become marked with shallow furrows and scaly ridges.
The Redbud’s red roots have been used to make dye, and its wood is considered to have some commercial value in local areas. The Redbud provides food to some birds, as they will feed off its fruits.
Reference:
- Redbud. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.oplin.org/tree/fact pages/redbud/redbud.html
- Cercis canadensis – Plant Finder. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h550
Report By: Grif Griffiths