Eastern Redbud Tree Pros and Cons, Growth Rate, Care, Problems

The little, beautiful tree known as the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is indigenous to the eastern and central parts of the United States. Common habitats include open forests, thickets, woodland margins, and areas along streams and bluffs; the soils in these areas are often composed of limestone. It has small, pink flowers that look like peas and bloom before and as the leaves come out. 

These flowers grow in groups of four to eight. The flowers cover practically every square inch of the plant, growing close to the branches and even along the trunks. Trees can develop multiple stems or a single trunk depending on upbringing. The eastern redbud has a growth pattern that ranges from flat-topped to rounded, and its leaves are big and styled like hearts.

The color of the autumn foliage varies, although it can be brilliant, pure golden. Because the eastern redbud is a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family, its fruits are the typical dark brown to black pods found in legumes. Although other members of the legume family have the ability to pull nitrogen from the air and fix it, the eastern redbud does not have the nodules or the bacteria required for this process.

Eastern redbud is a good option for small landscapes because it can reach heights of 20 to 30 feet and widths of 25 to 35 feet. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, evenly wet, well-drained soils, although it may grow in most soils as long as the drainage is adequate. It can tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. USDA Zones 4 through 9 are suitable for growing eastern redbud.

Pros

The Eastern Redbud Tree is a lovely plant that can add a number of aesthetic and functional benefits to your outdoor environment.

First, even when deer browse other plants in your environment, the Eastern Redbud will continue to look beautiful and healthy since it is deer-resistant.

The Eastern Redbud is a little tree, making it ideal for modest environments. Even if it does not occupy much space, it still enhances the landscape's beauty and appeal.

The Eastern Redbud tree begins to bloom in early spring when many other types of plants have not yet begun to produce flowers. In the early months of spring, when they bloom, the pink blossoms that it produces are a stunning addition to the landscape.

Tea made from boiled bark was traditionally used by Native Americans to alleviate the symptoms of whooping cough.  Astringents made from the bark could be used to treat dysentery. Fever, congestion, and even vomiting were some of the symptoms that the roots and inner bark were used to treat.

Cons

Redbud trees have a number of drawbacks, including the fact that they only have one growing season, which makes them attractive to insects that eat plants.  Additionally, you must be prepared to perform your maintenance, which could take a while.

Redbuds demand a lot of water, particularly during their first year of establishment. If you intend to plant them, you must ensure that they receive plenty of fresh, clean water on a consistent basis in order to maintain their health.

Redbuds are normally disease and pest-resistant, but if they lack water, pests or animals may eat their leaves. If you notice that the leaves on your tree are turning yellow, it is likely because it is not receiving enough water. Additionally, they attract insects such as aphids, which can be a problem for those who are allergic to them.

The fact that redbuds typically only blossom once per growing season is a drawback, unless you live near the southern border of their habitat, in that case, with appropriate water, they might bloom twice.

Growth Rate

In the spring, the redbud is easy to spot because it has so many bright pink flowers. The deep green, heart-shaped leaves on the stem are simple and grow in pairs. They have smooth edges and are between 2 and 5 inches long and wide. It is a small tree with a flat top that grows 10 to 20 feet tall and has a crown that is 15 to 20 feet wide. The average annual growth for redbud is between 12 to 18 inches.

Care

Redbud trees require little maintenance. Mulch should be spread around the tree to a depth of around 3 inches (7.6 cm), but it should not come into contact with the trunk. For a redbud to continue growing naturally and to remove any dead branches, prune it in the fall. During the tree's establishment, keep the soil wet but not waterlogged. Canker disease and battle tree borers are two of the more common challenges that redbuds face. Before initiating any treatment for a disease or insect infestation on your tree, you should make sure to have an accurate diagnosis.

Problems

Eastern redbud trees are vulnerable to a range of fungal disorders such as canker disease and verticillium wilt.

Look for wilting, yellowing, or browning of the leaves and branches. Cankers can grow to the point that they encircle branches, which ultimately results in the death of the branch. As a preventative precaution against infection, refrain from causing wounds.

Another bacterial infection that affects redbud trees is verticillium wilt. This disease causes portions of the leaves to wilt and discolor. The entire tree frequently dies as a result of dying branches.