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Cercis canadensis

Cercis canadensis

Eastern redbud, North American Redbud, Canadian redbud, Judas tree

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Description

Cercis canadensis (North American redbud) is found in the temperate deciduous forests in the eastern United States and in a small area of Mexico. Cercis canadensis often grows on forest edges but, along with Cornus florida, this tree is also found in the shrub layer of damp deciduous forests. Here, it grows sheltered by, amongst others, Acer rubrum, Carya ovata and Quercus alba. It has an irregularly round crown and is fairly densely branched but open in shadier sites.   This naturally multi-stem or irregular single stem tree reaches a height of eight to twelve metres, five to seven metres wide.

Just before the foliage emerges in May, Cercis canadensis produces spectacular clusters of four to eight papilionaceous flowers. The magenta pink flowers completely cover the zigzagging black branches and black-grey peeling trunk and together make a stunning colour contrast. As a result, in springtime this tree hums with insects after the nectar. The flowers are also suitable for human consumption, fresh or fried. The broadly heart-shaped and matt, bronze-green emerging foliage has a pointed tip, changing to bright green in the summer, and finishes off a lovely warm yellow in the autumn. The ten-centimetre-long green seed pods appear in the autumn before turning violet purple and then brown to black. They remain hanging on the tree virtually the entire winter. 

Compared with Cercis siliquastrum, Cercis canadensis has far greater frost resistance. The species is quite tolerant of shade and drought but does not like wet soils. The North American redbud grows best in warm locations - with protection from the wind - and on nutrient-rich soils. But it will also survive on chalky and dry soils, provided there are plenty of nutrients available. The species can even be planted as a pioneer on poorer soils since it fixes nitrogen with its roots. In parks, urban planting schemes and gardens, Cercis canadensis has something to offer in every season.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees characteristic trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden small garden cemetery

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

climate planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

flattened spherical flattened spherical

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

8 - 12 m

Width

5 - 7 m

Winter hardiness zone

4A - 9B

Aspects

Wind

slightly tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

very dry dry moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade

pH range

acidic neutral

Host plant/forage plant

bees butterflies nectar value 4 pollen value 0

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Visit our nurseries with multi-stem trees, climbing trees, trees for avenues and parks characteristic trees and solitary shrubs.

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Cercis canadensis? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
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Photos

Magnify
multi-stem multi-stem
Cercis canadensis multi-stem
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Cercis canadensis multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Cercis canadensis multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Cercis canadensis multi-stem umbrella
multi-stem-umbrella multi-stem umbrella
Cercis canadensis multi-stem umbrella
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
flowers flowers
Cercis canadensis flowers
leaves leaves
Cercis canadensis leaves
leaves leaves
Cercis canadensis leaves
leaves leaves
Cercis canadensis leaves
leaves leaves
Cercis canadensis leaves
autumn-leaves autumn leaves
Cercis canadensis autumn leaves
bark bark
Cercis canadensis bark
bark bark
Cercis canadensis bark
bark bark
Cercis canadensis bark

Seasonal colours

Cercis canadensis seizoenskleur
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Flowers

Flowers

papilionaceous striking small scented

Flower colour

pink-violet

Flowering period

April - May

Leaves

Leaf colour

buds bronze bright green

Leaves

deciduous cordate matt polished smooth undulate nitrogen fixing

Autumn colour

yellow yellow-orange orange-red

Fruits

Fruit colour

red-brown

Fruits

striking pod

Bark

Bark colour

grey

Bark

peeling furrowed

Twigs

Twig colour

brown-violet

Twigs

bare zigzagging

Root system

Root system

deep extensive coarse roots

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Multi-stemmed trees
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Topiary on stem
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Topiary
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m
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Aspects
Wind
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Soil
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Nutrient level
OK
Soil moisture level
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Light requirements
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PH range
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Extreme environments
OK
Stage of succession
OK
Plant characteristics
Flowering period
January
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December
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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