Redbuds
Early Spring Blossoms--The Redbud
by Margaret Canavan
When spring finally comes around after our wet and gloomy weather, trees are well-watered by our winter rains and many are sprouting leaves. Evergreen oaks are dropping last year’s leaves as new ones emerge.
One tree is particularly beautiful, the redbud. You may have noticed pinky-purple blooms covering bare branches on small trees, in streetside locations. This beautiful deciduous tree came in second only to the oak as the “People’s Choice” in the National Arbor Day Foundation’s “National Tree” vote. Galveston streets have both eastern and Texas Redbuds (Cercis canadensis, and also var. texensis) thanks to NeighborWoods plantings.
Redbud is one of the first trees to bloom in spring. Showy, magenta pink flowers appear over several weeks on old twigs, branches, and trunks each March. Reddish-colored leaves appear next, becoming green in summer and yellow in fall. The eastern redbud’s heart-shaped leaves are thin and papery while its Texas cousin has smaller thick, leathery, leaves that give it durability in our climate. This tree is actually a member of the pea family (Fabaceae) and produces brown, pea-like pods whose seeds mature in early fall.
The eastern redbud is native throughout the lower Great Plains and eastern United States. It can reach 15 to 30 feet tall at maturity with similar spread but will be smaller here. It develops multiple trunks and a graceful, rounded crown. The Texas redbud is smaller and more drought tolerant than its eastern relative. Both have good heat tolerance, medium water requirements, prosper in sun or partial sun, and adapt to various soils. This beauty is perfect for a small space or as an accent plant. Redbuds can be affected by fungal diseases, so adequate air circulation and removal of leaf litter are important in our humid climate. Go to the Texas Big Tree Registry for the dimensions of the Texas Champion Redbuds.
This native is attractive to wildlife. The Henry’s elfin butterfly (Callophyrus henrici) and hummingbirds use the flowers’ nectar, and honeybees use the flowers for pollen. Squirrels may snack on the buds, bark, and seed. Songbirds enjoy the seeds. The leaves are enjoyed by the caterpillars of some moths and butterflies, for example the beautiful Io moth (Automeris io).
Human populations have also found the tree useful. Early settlers added redbud blossoms to salads and Native Americans consumed the flowers and roasted seeds. Early folk healers and Native Americans used bark tea to treat common maladies such as fevers, congestion, and digestive disorders. Native Americans used the wood for their bows. Green twigs from the eastern redbud are said to be used as seasoning for wild game in some areas of Appalachia where it is sometimes known as the spicewood tree.
Redbud has been among NeighborWoods plantings over the past six years, and more will go in the ground during the end of March plant-a-thon. For some beautiful examples of this tree go by the 1300 block of Ball, and 2500 block of Avenue O. These trees will lift your spirits with their color while you wait for dependable spring weather. You may discover you need one for your own home landscape.
Hurricane Ike caused the loss of 40,000 trees on Galveston Island. The Galveston Island Tree Conservancy was formed to address that loss and e has replaced over 14,000 through grant-funded plantings and giveaways, with more planned.
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“Tree Stories” is an ongoing series of articles about island trees, tree care and tree issues. If you have or know of a special tree on Galveston Island that should be highlighted, email treesforgalveston@gmail.com. Margaret Canavan is a Galveston resident, a Galveston County Master Gardener, and a member of the Galveston Island Tree Conservancy Board.