Common Name: Redbud

General Information

Cercis canadensis is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a flat to rounded crown; it usually grows from 7.5 - 10 metres tall, but can reach up to 15 metres in some favoured sites. The trunk is usually straight, branching at around 1.5 - 2.7 metres above ground[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its showy springtime flowers and beautiful heart-shaped leaves[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern and Central N. America - Nebraska to Michigan and New Jersey, south to New Mexico and Florida, south through eastern Mexico to Veracruz

Habitat

An understorey tree in moist rich woods, along the banks of streams, in ravines, on bluffs, in open rocky woods, and also on abandoned farmland[]. It often forms a distinct understorey in woodlands[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Although the dormant plant is cold-hardy, the young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun[].
Prefers a deep sandy loam and a very sunny position in a well-drained soil[, , ], though it also succeeds in light shade[]. Within its natural range, it exhibits a strong preference for alkaline soils, growing best in a pH range of 6 - 8[]. It can succeed in most soils and pH types, but dislikes growing in wet soils, especially when these are of clay[]. It also dislikes dry soils and strongly acidic soils[].
Cercis canadensis is generally recognized as comprising three varieties:-
Cercis canadensis canadensis has the most northerly range and is the hardiest form for cooler latitudes. Some provenances of this variety can withstand temperatures of -20°c or lower when dormant[].
Cercis canadensis texensis is often more of a shrub than a tree, though it can make a small rounded tree to 10 metres. Coming from Texas and Oklahoma, this form usually grows in calcareous soils in semi-arid to arid climates. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -15 to -20°c and should do well in a Mediterranean climate[].
Cercis canadensis mexicana is usually a shrubby tree perhaps 3 metres tall with a somewhat wider crown. Coming mainly from eastern Mexico, this form also usually grows in calcareous soils in semi-arid to arid climates. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -10 to -15°c and should do well in a Mediterranean climate[]
Cercis canadensis is a fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild[]. It does not flower freely in areas with cool summers[]. There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value[].
Plants usually commence flowering when around 4.5 metres tall, but can occur when only 2 metres tall[].
The flowers are produced on the branches of the previous or earlier years, and also on the trunk of the plant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].
This species is the state tree of Oklahoma[].
Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially when growing in areas with cooler summers where the wood is not fully ripened[]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
A good bee plant[].
Resents root disturbance, plants should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in May, and should be kept well watered until established[, ].
This species is one of the few members of the family Leguminosae that do not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw[, , , ], cooked or pickled[, , , ]. A nice refreshing acid taste, the flowers are rich in vitamin C and make a pleasant addition to salads[, ]. The flowers are commonly fried in Mexico[] and they can also be used as a condiment[]. The unopened buds are pickled or used as a caper substitute[].

On a zero moisture basis, the seed contains 22.9 - 27.5% protein, 7.7 - 8.8% fat and 3% ash[]. (This report does not say if the seed is edible[].)

Medicinal

A tea made from the inner bark is highly astringent[, , , , , ]. It is used in the treatment of fevers, diarrhoea and dysentery, it is also a folk remedy for leukaemia[].

A cold infusion of the roots and inner bark has been used to treat various chest complaints including whooping cough and congestion[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Within its natural range, the plant exhibits a strong preference for, and can be used as an indicator of, alkaline soils[].

Other Uses

The bark of young shoots is used in basket making[, ].

The wood of Cercis species is generally of good quality. It is coarse-textured, easy to work and finishes smoothly. It has a limited use in turnery and cabinet making, but is not available in quantity[].
The wood is close-grained, heavy, hard, but weak. It takes a very fine polish[, , ]. It weighs 40lb per cubic foot[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 3 months[]. Sow spring in the greenhouse[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted out in their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].