Eastern Redbud

Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade

Acidic, Alkaline, Clay, Loamy, Moist, Rich, Sandy, Well Drained

The early blossoms draw in nectar-seeking insects, including several species of early-season butterflies. Northern bobwhite and a few songbirds, such as chickadees, will eat the seeds. It can be used for nesting sites and nesting materials, and it also provides shelter for birds and mammals.

Native to North America and Canada with cousins in Europe and Asia, this tree was noted by Spaniards who made distinctions between the New World species and their cousins in the Mediterranean region in 1571. Centuries later, George Washington reported in his diary on many occasions about the beauty of the tree and spent many hours in his garden transplanting seedlings obtained from the nearby forest.

It was chosen as the state tree of Oklahoma in 1937.