Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis

Deciduous tree
Mature Height: 10’-30’
Mature Width: 25’-35’

Only 20’ in stature, this most diminutive of native trees is possibly the most underutilized flowering tree, and should be considered instead of Asian ornamental flowering cherries. One of its most remarkable attributes is its extremely early bloom time- if you see a haze of magenta bloom just when daffodils are finishing up, chances are it is an Eastern Redbud. The bark, particularly when wet, is a glistening black. This, combined with blooms that appear before leaves and cling to branches, make for a dramatic show.