Cercis canadensis

Eastern Redbud is a lovely, small, (15-20 feet tall x 15-20 feet across) understory tree occurring along streams and wet bottoms as well as on dry slopes and ridges in the Piedmont and some of the mountain counties of the Carolinas. Eastern Redbud is deciduous, very hardy (tough as nails) and highly ornamental. It is especially noted for its striking, rosy, pea-like flowers emerging in clusters on bare, grayish branches – and even on the trunks – before the foliage emerges in spring. And the flowers are edible! They develop later into pendulous, leguminous pods about 4-5 inches long which persist into winter. Leaves are alternate, simple, heart-shaped and pleasing. Branches are gracefully arching. The cultivars of Redbud selected for unusual color seem always to disappoint compared with the subtle hues of the native trees in their breathtaking spring display.