Eastern Redbud Tree

Description:

is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, native to eastern North America from Southern Ontario, Canada south to northern Florida but can thrive as far west as California.

Habitat:

Eastern redbud occurs in the open or as an understory tree common along the edge of woods in a variety of habitats [11,53]. In Kentucky, it occurs on exposed limestone cliffs in eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) communities

Notes:

In some parts of southern Appalachia, green twigs from the eastern redbud are used as seasoning for wild game such as venison and opossum. Because of this, in these mountain areas the eastern redbud is sometimes known as the spicewood tree. Native Americans consumed redbud flowers raw or boiled, and ate roasted seeds. Analysis of nutritional components in edible parts of eastern redbud reported that: Edibility: The flower extract contains anthocyanins, green developing seeds contained proanthocyanides, and linolenic, alpha-linolenic, oleic and palmitic acids to be present in seeds.[4] The flowers may be pickled for use in salads or fried (a common practice in Mexico). Seeds ten to twelve, chestnut brown, one-fourth of an inch long -can be made to germinate by first dipping in boiled (99C) water (very hot) for a minute and then sowing in a pot (do not boil the seeds); cotyledons oval, flat.[2] IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Eastern redbud seeds or pods are eaten by quail, pheasants [11], other birds including goldfinch [27], and deer [11]. Birds will open pods on the tree to get at the seeds [16]. Deer and cattle browse young trees [53]. Eastern redbud occurs in Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) habitat which is critical to endangered golden-cheeked warblers. The relationship of eastern redbud to golden-cheeked warblers was not reported (the warblers are primarily insectivorous) It is fed upon by gypsy moth larvae (later stages) only when preferred species are not available.